torte ‘de
pee te ite Waleed) Nai ntl
: ena Pe OH a
he mee ietogalya
eb vet
ptinansiee in pega taiete aS rate
[vioioen ie alvin ae S “
Sehner oeret te io Sioa i
sed sadiy
1 Tats
a wali tahgouty bate
ici
"
ie
sent) bak
te sas
a8 = —
Shy Le
ne aires: mak
essishsletrbat
Sparel
tae ota
ee
lady
ma ane mye
Agtare
i)
% ae
TAA ein ‘. : oS
pg te abe tye Does Ne Sah
6 ‘ —— anette
sr aban aetataheas eee
Tie be 4 di fi
oy 18"
“|
tial ae tnt
ena }
oe oe
i Be sth ae
ieee,
Ay 7
ii
Sestirn
leer
fo
ay
pln tea aay! ees
Wiki #5 ais a ie fe Sie sal
ete ne tie Se ye Lanyon icett ee ie n
RRP EMEA peter i ak ae iS ate a eee = shat Sk Me ‘feta
af ea aim a ich! tease lie Cenenee
oy
aki bed Dl ie ar pone eee
pe ci: liter
sie aNasae se ae mf
phere fr itp
a
an
see
ty sn ies
Caries
pian oer t malice
ieee a sees
as Masa gels tele Bide
ee
nen
Apri ssugie Or
EB obhtae® eh Sie fe
ie
A iheal lags oni
Sina alah tot ote
eas
‘4
te seen
initiate Pape iain thet si Shep
ies lees Fle “4 at
Las ea apailin eka ten i ol ma in RIA LORY
ue a in ih diaeniie n psec est ce Sime ot 7 peice fiers a
ie 1
sate sree
i jeans eens Seas we
fy eee ts
; ya
We isu ye
itt de aah Te hats
4 te eit a
Ha risen thr
ipa ah a os Lien aaa
aphirige fr B Tg eee
ae is
is sehen a Ge
nie ig Bayh of whales je
ft Sag:
ie ee eas
Sp hiirdigs bs.) Ta
aria 3 ete tae
ii ines ats Manet
ieee teapot ot enh ips: ie Aer iter a ir oe:
ieee a eietaet tagemiots eatenrepepeateatey
ine sate a # paar fas
meni ih et iba ae
vty etic
bien Mibesinbobere
a fy t otetr ts
arate t we lal Pa sent erat
loneiiees Pris a
SUM gialbca ed tas PAYOR ak
fade
ei omar anti
Smet
t Ht iyi anit
ft LTS peo mana can an baat .
mp asines ba pst Chap ve Sup ba yliv eee eaeininies a
raphe hn an et hordyae ribs aah aewbaGenton ef
Lh LP oer dp W Usa aan
We tite ibn puree facet
ap oni eles
juss ft aeeepvntae
ravine nhoth Wake ames:
aire hd avira), fr padonaaioauee
i 07 tat
Herapenees ten pir
ALBERT R. MANN
LIBRARY
NEW YorK STATE COLLEGES
OF
AGRICULTURE AND HomE ECONOMICS
AT
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Cornell University Library
The snakes of the Philippine Islands,
Cornell University
Library
The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.
There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924001803299
New York
State College of Agriculture
At Cornell University
Ithaca, N.Y,
Library
THE SNARES OF THE
PHIBIPPINE: ISiaANi)>
BY
EDWARD H. TAYLOR
MANILA
BUREAU OF PRINTING
1922
161465
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
BUREAU OF SCIENCE
MANILA
Publication No. 16
(Actual date of publication February 11, 1922.)
PREFACE
This monograph is the result of a careful study of about three
thousand specimens of Philippine snakes, preserved for the most
part in the collection of the Bureau of Science and in my own
private collection. Through the courtesy of the directors of the
Museo de Santo Tomas and El Ateneo de Manila, I was also
able to make a study of numerous specimens contained in their
important collections. A few specimens at Silliman Institute,
Dumaguete, Oriental Negros, were examined, as well as a few in
some of the private collections in Manila.
In most cases the descriptions given in this work are of
normal Philippine specimens; where no specimen has been avail-
able, I have taken a description given by another author. In
the definition of genera, I have drawn very largely on Boulenger.*
I have also drawn on various other authors and on my own
_previous papers for illustrations, and in each case credit has
been duly given. Most of the original drawings here published
were made by Macario Ligaya.
It hag been impossible to examine all the literature treating
of Philippine herpetology; but many works are included in the
synonymies which I have been unable to examine.
It is a matter for regret that I have not had access to European
herpetological collections from the Philippines. For the most
part, collections in European institutions were studied and re-
ported on before the appearance of Boulenger’s work, and in
consequence the identifications are frequently incorrect or un-
trustworthy. However, the necessity for an examination of the
European collections has been largely obviated by Boulenger’s
admirable work. I have examined various collections in
America,
As companion volumes to The Snakes of the Philippine Islands
I have prepared The Lizards of the Philippine Islands and Am-
phibians and Turtles of the Philippine Islands. It is expected
that the three volumes will be published at about the same time.
; EDWARD H, TAYLOR.
MANILA, P. I., July 4, 1919.
* Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1-3 (1894-1896).
} Op. cit.
CONTENTS
TGGSUSTRATIONS (coo25 chee dace scases cso Savion so ete Re rasa a es es otc ees
TNDRODUCTION: 245s ae eo 2 nan crac
FATS TORI CA Tio na: Serene roe vod does eA week sons cane: Sobran eas tea eae oP tac acceh
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PHILIPPINE SNAKEG...................c.ccceseeeccceceeeeseeeeteeeees
ECONOMIC CONSIDERATION OF SNAKES..........
LocAL NAMES FOR PHILIPPINE SNAKESG............0cc.ccccc-sceeeeeecceseceeneeeeees
FAUNAL RELATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION OF PHILIPPINE SNAKES...
SPECIES OF SNAKES ERRONEOUSLY ATTRIBUTED TO THE PHILIPPINE
ISLANDS © eeseccecesteie ieee vestscee aces
CLASSIFICATION OF THE SNAKES. ........00...00..cc:222eccceceeeeeeeceeeeeeeeeesceeeeeenees
FAMILY TYPHLOPID/
Genus Typlhops Oppel
Typhlops: braminus: (Daudiny).. 0.00. cc.0 hee esetseseeasoveeceweiven ecseaeanescaves
Typhlops luzonensis Taylor. We
Typhlops jagorii Peters... see A eal be os aecns NS evel et Pee
Typhlops: muficauda, <C Gray.) iocsas see so coesdedaeceaddeceede desaceidausbepsctisecdéchaniezencs
Typhlops: vuber™ Boett ger... noo Fo ceece cor eecc evan uerest ated ees
Typhlops canlaonensis Taylor...............0.0..20.cc2ceeecceceececeeeeeteceeettteceeceee
Typhlops manile Taylor. at
Typhiops: olivaceus “(Gray )e. Ac ee ee ee ed
yp nlOps aueOSsa > Pa yl Or 3 eter 28 Ae ey ear ota ae Enos as
Typhlops dendrophis sp. nov.
yphlops isuluensis: Maylotij....0 ese nce oe ee eee eae
Typhlops longicauda Taylor...
Typhlops mindanensis sp. nov
Typhlops CUMING (GAY) occccccccce ec sccceeseecececsseereseeectesdeciaenseceeenesiee
FAMILY BOD Als sccrczevepsseseeveeuez esses
SUBFAMILY PYTHONIN2..
Genus Python Daudimn..........0000..........-- a
Python reticulatus (Schneider) -.......0..2200..2..2eccccccceceeseeeeeeeeeeeeteeee ee
FAMILY XENOPELTIDA................ aaa d a ae dou re nha reece arent cca es vince ea
Genus Xenopeltis Reinwardt.........0....0000eee
Xenopeltis unicolor Reinwardt
FAMILY NATRICIDAL ......2.-.2---00-c0cceeeee ee
SUBPAMELY Ai GROGHORDUN AR vn 5o0 555025 aet oars ota caerase doce aetinsc sare ecu deseayab een
Genus Chersydrus: ‘Guvieri e222 ne ere nol eee nian photeresea sees cat cane
Chersydrus granulatus (Schneider) .......
SUBFAMILY NATRICIN4 .........
Genus Sibynophis Fitzinger a
Sibynophis bivittatus (Boulenger) -..........2..20..20000-.22ccseesceeceeeceee teens
6 CONTENTS
Genus Natrix Laurenti .................-
Natrix stolata (Linnzus)..
Natrix spilogaster (Boie) .........2....2:::-:::-20--e eee
Natrix chrysarga (Schlegel)
Natrix auriculata (Gtinther)
Natrix crebripunctata (Wiegmann) ..........-22----:--csceseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet
Natrix lineata (Peters) -......0........c-ceececceceecesceccececeeeeeeetcaeenteneeeeeseseneenees
Natrix dendrophiops Giinthev..............-...---.---- en
Natrix dendrophiops dendrophiops (Gunther: pies Nestsexess
Natrix dendrophiops negrosensis Taylor..........--.-..---:-::-11-eeeeeee
Genus Oxyrhabdium Boulengev............-...-----::::-:--teeeeeeseceeereee tree
Oxyrhabdium modestum (Duméril and Bibron) .........-...2--:2-:-+----
Oxyrhabdium leporinum (Giinther)................-.-
Genus Cyclocorus Duméril and Bibron................202..----:1:ecee eee
Cyclocorus lineatus (Reinhardt) .........22.2--.2..2--:---2--ce:eeeeeteeeeeeeeees
SUBFAMILY HOMALOPSINZ
CRS aio oval es Liv chute Wed © F=¥1 0 (6 bo iN ny teem ener a eee or Os Ree eee ere ene
Hurria rynchops (Schneider).....
Hurria microlepis (Boulenger).
Genus Fordonia Gray................-2---..-
Fordonia leucobalia (Schlegel)
SUBFAMILY LANGAHINA
Genus Ophites: Wacléty2nA0 sae ae acts ea
Ophites aulicus (Linnzus)
Ophites tessellatus (Jan)...
Ophites subcinctus (Boie)
Genus: Haplonodon: Griffin. 2.0.2.5. eee es a EE
Haplonodon philippinensis Griffin... ole eeeeee cece cece
Genus Stegonotus Duméril and Bibron.
Stegonotus muelleri Duméril and Bibron
Stegonotus dumerilii Boulenger
Genus Dryocalamus GUnther.....2.-..cc: acne eee tenis
Dryocalamus philippinus Griffin
(Gems Aa OCyS; COPS: 2: .i5. sett ee ees seeace cerns, Ete ek Soc re oe UIDs a Oe
Zaocys luzonensis Giinther..
Zaocys carinatus Gtinther
Genus “Holarchuls; © oper sceies o-ant orcrccnenrgre tae edt are etek. Mau ashe
Holarchus meyerinkii (Steindachner)
Holarchus ancorus (Girard)
Holarchus maculatus Taylovr..
Holarchus burksi Taylor
Genus Ohgodon Bolen iio ei i a
Oligodon: modestis> Gunther: cycc.c-.cac ese cette cee eee
Oligodon notospilus Giinther
Oligodon iwahigensis Griffin
Oligodon schadenbergi Boettger
Genus) “Gonyosoma. “Wager... cco esis oases ecw
Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Boie)
CONTENTS
Genus Elaphe Fitzinger......................-
Elaphe erythrura (Duméril and Bibron)...
Elaphe philippina Griffin.......22......221.2--eseseseeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeeeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Genus Liopeltis Fitzinger..................
Liopeltis tricolor (Schlegel)
Liopeltis philippinus (Boettger)
Genus Dendrophis Boie.......................-...
Dendrophis pictus (Gmelin)
Genus Dendrelaphis Boulenger. .....0.....0...00..0.0cc:cccccssseesseceeeeeseeeeeceeeeeeseeees
Dendrelaphis caudolineatus (Gray)
Dendrelaphis modestus Boulenger
Dendrelaphis terrificus (Peters)
Genus Pseudorhabdium Boulenger..............
Pseudorhabdium longiceps (Cantor) ..00......2.22.:2.ccccceccceeeeeececeeceeeeeeeeee
- Pseudorhabdium oxycephalum (Gtinther)
Pseudorhabdium menamare Taylor...
Genus Typhlogeophis Gtinther............20..00..22..c2sccccecceceeeeee eee ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeneeeeees
Typhlogeophis brevis Gtinther.
Genus: Calamaria, Bole sc... cc. ce esc cess cs ee ed esce des ees cawsivencesseseer success
Calamaria -grayi. Glinther. -..02c2. eens eee renee
Calamaria bitorques Peters......
Calamaria gervaisii Duméril and Bibron_.......22222.222..20.2.2..2-:020eeeces
Calamaria gervaisii gervaisii Duméril and Bibron
Calamaria gervaisii iridescens Taylor.
Calamaria suluensis sp. NnovV................----
Calamaria mindorensis Boulengev.........-...........--
Calamaria everetti Boulengev..... x
Calamaria mearnsi Stejneger oo. ......2....eecceeceeeeeecceeeeeeeeee
Calamaria: tropica: Sp. MOViceseeccce.ceceeesecccscspene cas actecseeeneoees
SLIGHTLY POISONOUS SNAKES...... =
SUBFAMILY (BOIGIN AD... ..--<is2.c.cc:ccctescsesncst ucts sweuse see teva ecepeecseseetteeacte wage steeese
Genus: Boiga: Fitzing@er ss 2.2.2.6 :.2e 2s Ne ee ere ee rearesate cenit
Boiga dendrophila (Boie) ................... ade ae aa 7 Rs SN
Boiga dendrophila latifasciata (Boulenger).
Boiga dendrophila multicincta (Boulenger).
Boiga dendrophila divergens subsp. nov.
Boiga angulata (Peters).....
Boiga philippina (Peters).............
Boiga cynodon (Boie) ...-...c-:c:c-ccecesessevesesteccsecesetesncentsceereenceescsceceaseees
Genus Psammodynastes Giinthet.................2--22:1:0200-
Psammodynastes pulverulentus (Boie)... is
Genus Dryophiops Boulengev...........2..2..2-.2-.2:2::-0ceecec eee eeeceee ee ec eeeeeeeeeeeeneeeees
Dryophiops philippina Boulenger 3
Genus Chrysopelea Boie................-:::s:scc-cececeeecceececccceeeeecreceeeeeeceeseeeeeeneeeeaeeas
Chrysopelea ornata (Shaw)..........2....2-:::::::cceccccccecceeeeeeceneeeeneteeeees aes
Genus Dryophiis: Dal ayaa issn. scl soce ccc ss cece detent bance necttcene decpceaeeteceenetions
Dryophis prasinus Boie....
Dryophis griseus sp. nov........
Dryophis preocularis sp. nov.......
DRADEY (POISONOUS! SNAKES: 1.5.0c.c0:6c5c22-scesccssoecte 5 cesesssee see -cesatdeesecee meres
8 CONTENTS
FAMILY ELAPIDAL.....00..202200020--20--
SUBFAMILY HyYDRINZ
Genus Aipysurus Lacépéde
Aipysurus eydouxii (Gray)
Genus Laticauda Laurenti.................
Laticauda laticaudata (Linnzeus) ..........----.2-2---------eeeceeeeeeeeeteeeeeeeereees
Laticauda colubrina (Schneider) ............-------------::::-eeeeeeeeeeeet
Laticauda semifasciata (Reinwardt) ................--------
Genus Disteira Lacépéde..w........2... eee ceeceeeeeceeeceeeneeeeeeeeeeeeee
Disteira cincinnatii Van Denburgh and Thompson.
Disteird, ornata. CGLay)ics ccccc.ccossiccesecssesaeiecssevcadeaseccee scenes
Disteira cyanocincta (Daudin) -0..000 eee
Disteira: cyanosoma ‘Weallecvecceccla coco secscecscceecatcesedsanecslsadetesecs apesnind
‘Genus -Lapemis: Grays. jie. ie cee eile wes aes aco eters ae
Lapemis hardwickii Gray..
Genus Pelamydrus Stejneger._..........00 occ cee ccc eee cece ceeecseeeeececeeeeeteeeees
Pelamydrus platurus (Linneeus) ...........0........2-.2-2:2-cecceceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees
SUBFAMILY ELAPINAD...........2-20.-2000---- Ne Seinee Awa 8 Ba Rent) pre Ree PARE TS EAS
Genus: Naja: ssaurentie ion) 80 ee Eo es
Naja hannah (Cantor).
Naja. niaja: inneusisce. eee
Naja naja samarensis Peters..............c::scecsescsesseeceeceseceeeeeeseeeeeeseeseeses
Naja naja miolepis (Boulenger) ..o....2..0..0cecceeceeeeeeeeeee cece eeeeeee eee
Naja naja philippinensis subsp. nov....2.....0...0...0..2cc-2ccceseeeeeeeeceeeeeeeees
Genus Hemibungarus Peters ee
Hemibungarus collaris (Schlegel) _..............eescscccceeeeceec eee eeeeeeeeeeceeee
Hemibungarus calligaster (Wiegmann) ...00.000000..0...ceeeeeccee eee ceeeeeeeeee
Hemibungarus meclungi sp. nOV~....2.....2:::eeccecceccecec cee eeeeceeceeeeeeteeneeeees
Genus: Doliophis: Girard)... J202-2.os ets cae ceotviccewaleesnkavewenseeslneee ee
Doliophis bilineatus (Peters).... a
Doliophis philippinus (Gtinther) 202.22. o0eeleeeeeececceceeeeesceseneeeececeeeee
WAMILY AMBLYCEPHADID AG © oo. ..:2.c.c2c.s20s2eccec cccucotlecucesdavcuasancencuccunecscesvavavecebs
Genus Haplopeltura Boulenger.
Haplopeltura boa (Boie)............
FAMILY CROTALIDAD ooo... eee eee
Genus Trimeresurus Lacépe@de i... occ cececeececceceeseeceeesceceeeceeseeceeeeeeceeee
Trimeresurus megregori Taylor
Trimeresurus halieus Griffin...............
Trimeresurus flavomaculatus (Gray)...
Trimeresurus gramineus (Shaw)
Trimeresurus schultzei Griffim oo... ececcceecccccceeeceeececeseeeeeeeeeeccsee
Trimeresurus philippensis Gray
Trimeresurus wagleri (Boie)............
Trimeresurus wagleri wagleri (Boie).....
Trimeresurus wagleri alboviridis Taylov.........
Trimeresurus wagleri subannulatus (Gray)
* This family is nonpoisonous.
ILLUSTRATIONS
PLATE 1
Typhlops longicauda Taylor; a, head, lateral view; b, head, dorsal view; c,
chin. Type, x 3.
PLATE 2
Aenopeltis unicolor Reinwardt; from a photograph of a Palawan specimen.
PLATE 3
Fic. 1. Chersydrus granulatus (Schneider); after Cuvier; young.
2. Laticauda semifasciata (Reinwardt) ; a, head, dorsal view; b, head,
anterior view.
PLATE 4
Fic. 1. Natrix spilogaster (Boie); from a photograph of a_ preserved
specimen (young); natural size.
Figs. 2 to 4. Natrix auriculata (Giinther) ; after Pioaleneer:
Fic. 5. Natrix chrysarga (Schlegel); from a photograph of a young
specimen from Busuanga.
Figs. 6 and 7. Natrix lineata (Peters); head; x 2.
PLATE 5
Natrix lineata (Peters); from a photograph of a preserved specimen from
Mindanao.
PLATE 6
Figs. 1 to 3. Hurria microlepis (Boulenger) ; after Boulenger.
4 to 6. Dryophiops philippina Boulenger; after Boulenger.
PLATE 7
Fic. 1. Hologerrhum philippinum Giinther; after Gtinther, a, lateral view
of head.
2. Oligodon notospilus Giinther; after Gtinther.
PLATE 8
Ophites subcinctus (Boie); from a photograph of a preserved specimen
from Palawan.
PLATE 9
Haplonodon philippinensis Griffin; from the type; X 1.
PLATE 10
Fig. 1. Sibynophis bivittatus (Boulenger); from a photograph of a Bu:
suanga’ specimen.
2. Dryocalamus philippinus Griffin; from a photograph of the type.
9
10 ILLUSTRATIONS
PLATE 11
Fics. 1 and 2. Dryocalamus philippinus Griffin, head; 3.
3 to 5. Liopeltis tricolor (Schlegel); head; 2.
6 to 8. Chrysopelea ornata (Shaw); head; x 2:
PLATE 12
Figs. 1 and 8. Zaocys luzonensis Giinther; after Boulenger.
2 and 4. Zaocys carinatus Ginther; after Boulenger.
PLATE 138
Fics. 1 and 2. Zaocys luzonensis Giinther; from photographs of the head
of a Luzon specimen.
3 to 5. Oligodon modestus Giinther; after Boulenger.
6 and 7. Dendrelaphis modestus Boulenger; after Boulenger.
PLATE 14
Holarchus meyerinkii (Steindachner); from a photograph of a specimen
from Sulu Archipelago.
PLATE 15
Holarchus maculatus Taylor; drawn from the type.
PLATE 16
Holarchus burksi Taylor; drawn from the type.
PLATE 17
Fics. 1 and 2. Holarchus ancorus (Girard); head.
38 to 5. Oligodon notospilus Giinther; head.
6 and 7. Holarchus meyerinkii (Steindachner); head.
PLATE 18
Fic. 1. Oligodon notospilus Giinther; from a photograph of a Balabae
specimen.
2. Oligodon wahigensis Griffin; from a photograph of the type.
8. Holarchus ancorus (Girard); from a photograph of a living spec-
imen from Manila.
PLATE 19
Liopeltis tricolor (Schlegel) ; from a photograph of a preserved specimen.
PLATE 20
Liopeltis philippinus (Boettger); from a photograph of a Palawan speci-
men.
PLATE 21
Dendrelaphis caudolineatus (Gray); from a photograph of a preserved
specimen from Palawan.
PLATE 22
Dendrelaphis terrificus (Peters); from a photograph of a preserved speci-
men.
ILLUSTRATIONS 11
PLATE 23
Dendrelaphis terrificus (Peters); after Giinther’s plate of Dendrelaphis
philippinicus.
PLATE 24
Fics. 1 to 4. Typhlogeophis brevis Giinther; after Boulenger.
5 to 7. Calamaria everetti Boulenger; after Boulenger.
8 and 9. Calamaria everetti Boulenger, young; after Boulenger.
PLATE 25
Boiga dendrophila multicincta (Boulenger) ; from a photograph of a pre-
served specimen from Palawan.
PLATE 26
Fics. 1 to 3. Boiga angulata (Peters); head; x 2. (No. 789, Polillo.)
4 to 6. Boiga dendrophila multicincta (Boulenger); head; x 1. (Pa-
lawan.)
PLATE 27
Boiga angulata (Peters); from a photograph of a’ preserved specimen.
(No. 271.)
PLATE 28
Dryophis preocularis sp. nov.; from a photograph of the type.
PLATE 29
Laticauda colubrina (Schneider) ; after Cuvier.
PLATE 30
Laticauda semifasciata (Reinwardt); after Schlegel.
PLATE 31
Fic. 1. Pelamydrus platurus (Linneus); after Cuvier.
2. Naja hannah (Cantor); from a photograph of the head of a Luzon
specimen.
3. Naja hannah (Cantor); from the same specimen as fig. 2.
PLATE 32
Naja naja miolepis (Boulenger); from a photograph of a young specimen
from Palawan.
PLATE 33
Fic, 1. Hemibungarus calligaster (Wiegmann); from a photograph of a
preserved specimen.
2. Hemibungarus calligaster (Wiegmann); young. The specimen
taken on the same plate with fig. 3 is much longer but much
slenderer than H. meclungi.
8. Hemibungarus mcclungi sp. nov.; from a photograph of the type.
PLATE 34
Fics. 1 and 2. Hemibungarus calligaster (Wiegmann); head; x 3.
3 and 4. Hemibungarus mcclungi sp. nov.; head, drawn from the
type; x 4.
5 and 6. Doliophis bilineatus (Peters) ; head.
7 to 9. Haplopeltura boa (Boie); head; x 3.
12
Fig. 1.
2.
ILLUSTRATIONS
PLATE 35
Doliophis philippinus (Gtinther); after Gtinther; a, head, dorsal
view.
Doliophis philippinus (Gtinther); from a photograph of a young
specimen from Zamboanga.
3. Doliophis bilineatus (Peters); from a photograph of a Palawan
specimen.
PLATE 36
Trimeresurus schultzei Griffin; from a photograph of a Palawan specimen.
Fig. 1.
2.
3.
Fie. 1.
co
10.
Ti
. Natrix dendrophiops negrosensis Taylor; a, head, dorsal view; 6
PLATE 37
Trimeresurus philippensis Gray; from a photograph of a speci-
men in Santo Tomas Museum.
Trimeresurus wagleri alboviridis Taylor; from a photograph of
the type.
Trimeresurus wagleri subannulatus (Gray); from a photograph
of the Mindanao specimen.
. Trimeresurus wagleri wagleri (Boie); from a photograph of a
Palawan specimen.
TEXT FIGURES
Head shields of typical Typhlopide, Typhlops suluensis Taylor; e,
eye; f, frontal; ip, interparietal; ims, internasal suture; Jab,
labials; n, nasal; nos, nostril; 0, ocular; par, parietal; pf, pre-
frontal; po, postocular; preo, preocular; 7, rostral.
. Typhlops braminus (Daudin); after Stejneger; a, head, dorsal
view; b, head, lateral view; ce, head, ventral view; d, anal region
and tail.
. Typhlops suluensis Taylor; from the type; a, head, lateral view;
b, head, dorsal view; c. chin; x 3.
. Typhlops cwmingii (Gray); after Boulenger; a, head, dorsal view;
b, head, lateral view; c, head, ventral view.
. Xenopeltis unicolor Reinwardt; after Boulenger; a, head, dorsal
view; b, head, lateral view.
. Typical Natricine head; after Griffin; Dendrelaphis terrificus
(Peters), from Griffin’s figure of D. cxruleatus; ch, chin shield;
f, frontal; il, inferior labial; in, internasal; 1b, superior labial;
lo, loreal; m, mental, or symphysial; », nasal; par, parietal; pf,
prefrontal; po, preocular; pto, postocular; 7», rostral; so, supra-
ocular; ta, anterior temporal; tp, posterior temporal; v, ventral.
. Natrix auriculata (Gtinther) ; after Boulenger; a, head, dorsal view;
b, head, lateral view.
head, lateral view; c, head, ventral view.
. Oxyrhabdiwm modestum (Duméril and Bibron); drawing of a Min-
danao specimen; a, head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral view; ¢,
head, ventral view; x 2.
Oxyrhabdium leporinum (Giinther); after Boulenger; a,
dorsal view; b, head, lateral view.
Ophites aulicus (Linneus); after Boulenger; a, head, dorsal view;
b, head, lateral view.
head,
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
nrg
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
31.
382.
ILLUSTRATIONS 13
Ophites subcinctus (Boie); drawing of a Palawan specimen; a,
head, dorsal view; 6, head, lateral view; x 2.
Haplonodon philippinensis Griffin; a, head, dorsal view; b, head,
ventral view.
Pseudorhabdium oxycephalum (Giinther); after Boulenger; a,
head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral view; c, head, ventral view.
Pseudorhabdium mcnamare Taylor; a, head, dorsal view; 6, head,
lateral view; c, head, ventral view.
Typhlogeophis brevis Giinther; after Boulenger; head, dorsal view.
Calamaria everetti Boulenger; after Boulenger; head, lateral view.
Psammodynastes pulverulentus (Boie); after Stejneger; a, head,
dorsal view; b, head, lateral view; c, head, ventral view.
Dryophis preocularis sp. nov.; drawing of a Polillo specimen; a,
head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral view.
Aipysurus eydouxti (Gray); after Jan, copied from Wall; a, head,
dorsal view; b, head, lateral view; c, head, ventral view.
Laticauda laticaudata (Linneus); after Wall; a, head, dorsal
view; b, head, lateral view; c, chin.
Laticauda semifasciata (Reinwardt); after Wall; a, head, dorsal
view; b, head, lateral view; c, chin.
Disteira cincinnatiti Van Denburgh and Thompson; after Van Den-
burgh and Thompson; a, head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral view;
c, chin; d, anterior ventrals; ¢, anal region; /, ventrals.
Disteira ornata (Gray); drawing of a specimen from Manila Bay;
a, head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral view; c, head, ventral view;
Se 2s
Disteira cyanocincta (Daudin); after Wall; a, head, dorsal view;
b, head, lateral view; c, head, ventral view.
. Disteira cyanocincta (Daudin); after Jan’s D. westermanni; a,
head, lateral view; b, head, lateral view (variation).
. Lapemis hardwickii Gray; after Giinther; a, head, dorsal view;
b, head, lateral view; c, chin.
. Pelamydrus platurus (Linnzus); after Stejneger; a, head, dorsal
view; b, head, lateral view; c, head, ventral view.
. Naja hannah (Cantor); after Boulenger; a, head, dorsal view; },
head, lateral view.
. Naja naja miolepis (Boulenger); a, head, dorsal view; b, head,
lateral view; c, chin; x 1.
Trimeresurus mcgregori Taylor; from the type; a, head, dorsal
view; b, head, lateral view; c, head, ventral view; x 1.
Trimeresurus flavomaculatus (Gray); after Boulenger’s Lachesis
flavomaculatus; a, head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral view.
THE SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
By Epwarp H. TAYLor
INTRODUCTION
Since American occupation in 1898, a few notable herpeto-
logical collections have been made in the Philippines, which have
resulted in the discovery of several species new to science and
of others heretofore unknown for the Islands. The collections
in the Bureau of Science were enriched by the work of H. M.
Weber and W. Schultze in Palawan, of C. Canonizado in
Polillo, and of Lawrence E. Griffin in Mindoro, Palawan, Ban-
tayan, and Luzon. Since 1912 I have collected extensively in
central eastern Mindanao, Negros, Mindoro, Palawan, Busuanga,
Lubang, Sulu Archipelago, and Luzon.
Dr. Lawrence E. Griffin during his stay in the Islands made
a preliminary study of the collection in the Bureau of Science
and later published four papers. One of these describes two new
species of snakes from Negros, one gives a list of Palawan
snakes, another gives a list of snakes from Polillo, and the fourth
is a checklist and key to all known Philippine snakes.
The results of my collecting in Negros and in Sulu are in-
corporated in two short papers treating of the reptilian faunas
of those localities. Another paper treats of the genus Holarchus
and describes two new species. A fourth paper * includes de-
scriptions of several new snakes from various Philippine local-
ities. In the present monograph the following supposedly new
species and subspecies are described:
Typhlops dendrophis. Dryophis griseus.
Typhlops mindanensis. Dryophis preocularis.
Calamaria suluensis. Hemibungarus meclungt.
Calamaria tropica. Naja naja philippinensis.
Boiga dendrophila divergens.
In spite of a rather thorough exploration of some parts of the
Islands herpetologically, large areas are comparatively unknown.
Thus, I have not a single authentic record for Bohol or for
Marinduque, and very few for Cebu, Masbate, Leyte, Panay, and
* Philip. Journ. Sci. 14 (1919) 105-125.
15
16 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Catanduanes. The fauna of the interior of Mindoro is prac-
tically unknown, as are also the faunas of high mountains
everywhere in the Islands. Undoubtedly many new species and
subspecies await discovery.
Species that occur in various islands may show variations
which in many cases are small but constant. Thus it is fre-
quently possible to state the locality from which a specimen comes
by mere examination. Such variations may consist of a higher
or a lower average of ventrals or subcaudals; a difference in
marking or color; or in the proportions or the relations of the
various head scales. Undoubtedly larger collections will permit
the naming of numerous subspecies. Not infrequently we find
that the variations in various species belonging to different
genera, or even families and orders, may have the same trend;
that is, there may be an increase or a reduction in the number
of ventrals, or of the scale rows, or of loreals, or there may be
curious anomalies in scale formation.
This is of course to be expected, since the same environmental
conditions of food, temperature, rainfall, elevation, nature of soil,
etc., might easily bring about related changes in the fauna of a
particular locality. Certainly a study of these interrelated va-
riations on various islands would do much to solve, beyond
question, the part environment plays in the bringing about of a
new species, which in my own opinion is certainly no small one.
HISTORICAL
Some of the earliest writers on the Philippines have left rec-
ords of snakes—records which are for the most part native
stories or superstitions, but at all events interesting.
Antonio de Morga * writes in 1609:
The forests and settlements have many serpents, of various colors,
which are generally larger than those of Castilla. Some have been seen
in the forests of unusual size, and wonderful to behold. The most harm-
ful are certain slender snakes, of less than one vara in length, which dart
down upon passersby from the trees (where they generally hang), and
sting them; their venom is so powerful that within twenty-four hours the
person dies raving.
The large snakes are doubtless Python reticulatus; the slender
snakes might refer to any or all of several species.
Diego de Bobadilla + writes in about 1640:
* Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, by Antonio de Morga, Mexico, 1609.
Translated by Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands 1493-1898.
Cleveland, The Arthur H. Clark Co. 16 (1904) 93.
+ From Relation of the Filipinas Islands, by Diego de Bobadilla, S. J
1640; in Blair and Robertson, op. cit. 29 (1905) 301.
HISTORICAL 17
There are many snakes in those islands, which are very dangerous;
some of them, when they have young, attack people.”® The bite of those
called omodro is very dangerous, and those who are bitten by it do not live
one-half day. It is from that effect that it derives its name, for odro
signifies one-half day. There is another very large snake called saua. I
have killed one of that species which was two and one-half brazas long.
The skin of another, which measured thirty-two [Spanish] feet in length,
was brought to our residence at Manila. The sauas hang to the branches
of trees along the roads, whence they dart down upon people, or deer, or on
any other prey. They wind themselves three or four times around the
body, and after having broken the creature’s bones devour it. But God
has provided a number of herbs in those islands which are used as anti-
dotes to all kinds of poisons. Roots and herbs are found in the mountains,
which are so many specific remedies against snake-bites; the chief ones are
manongal, manambo, logab, boroctongon, maglingab, ordag, balocas, bonas,
bahay, igluhat, dalogdogan, mantala.
John Francis Gemelli Careri writes: *
There are Snakes of a prodigous Bigness. One sort of them call’d
Ibitin which are very long, hang themselves by the Tail down from the
Body of a Tree, expecting Deer, wild Boars, or Men to pass by, to draw
them to them with their Breath, and swallow them whole; and then winds
it self round a Tree to digest them. Some Spaniards told me, The only
Defence against them was to break the Air between the Man and the Ser-
pent; and this seems rational, for by that means, those Magnetick or at-
tracting Particles spread in that distance are dispers’d. Another sort of
Snake call’d Assagua eats nothing but Hens. That they call Olopong, is
Venomous. The biggest are called Bobes, which sometimes are 20 or 30
Spans long.
Another sort of four footed Creature, which is also found in America,
and devours Hens, is call’d Iguana. It is like an Alligator, the Skin
Purple, speckled with Yellow Spots, the Tongue Cloven, but the Feet close
and with Claws. Tho’ a Land Creature, it passes over Rivers swiftly.
The Indians and some Spaniards eat it, and say it tasts like a Tortoise.
Juan de Plascencia + writing in 1589 of the witch doctors says:
The second they called mangagauay, or witches, who deceived by pre-
tending to heal the sick. These priests even induced maladies by their
charms, which in proportion to the strength and efficacy of the witchcraft,
“8 For a treatise on the snakes and poisonous animals of the Philip-
pines, see Delgado’s Historia, pp. 889-907. He describes the omodro as
the odto (Hemibungarus collaris)—from the word meaning “half-day” or
“noon,” and given to it because the bite proves fatal if given at noon,
but at no other time. It is of various colors and very furious at the hour
of noon. The saua (Python reticulatus) is the largest snake of the is-
lands and is often domesticated, and is not poisonous to man. [Footnote
in Blair and Robertson.]
* A voyage round the world; in A Collection of Voyages. London 4
(1704) 454,
+ Customs of the Tagalogs (two relations by Juan de Plascencia, O. S.
F.) Manila, october 21, from Blair and Roberston, op. cit. 7 (1903) 192.
161465
2
18 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
are capable of causing death. In this way, if they wished to kill at once
they did so; or they could prolong life for a year by binding to the waist
a live serpent, which was believed to be the devil, or at least his substance.
This office was general throughout the land.
An Englishman writing in 1819-1822 * says:
Their serpents, however, attain an enormous size: the largest are those
of the Boa species (Constrictor), and will devour a horse or a cow at a
meal.” Of this genus there is one variety very beautifully marked, which
frequents the houses, and is called by the Spaniards (Culebra casera),
the house snake, and by the Indians “Sawa.” These are often seen from
10 to 12 feet in length, but are very harmless. Few houses are without
one or more of them in the cellars, stables, &c. but they are seldom dis-
turbed, as they are said to devour rats and other noxious animals; though,
when these fail them, they attack fowls, or even goats. They form a
favourite article of food with the Chinese, who keep them in jars to fatten,
and the Indians may be often seen carrying them through the streets for
sale.
Of other varieties they have great numbers; some of which, as the
“dahun-palay” or leaf of rice, of a deep green and yellow, which frequents
the rice fields, and the “mandadalag,” or whip-snake, are excessively venom-
ous: accidents from these animals are not, however, very frequent; from
whence it may be concluded, that the superstition of the natives has greatly
exaggerated the number of venomous ones:
Aduarte + writing in 1690 says:
When he (Fray Juan Naya) was living in the district of Ytabes, in
a village of that province named Tuao, he was once burying a dead man
in the cemetery when a venomous snake came out from the grass and,
amid the noise and alarm of the people, entered between his leg and his
breeches—which was an easy thing for the snake to do, since these gar-
ments are worn loose in this province, and resemble polainas.* Although
the Indians, who knew how poisonous the snake was, cried out and gave
him over for dead, father Fray Juan continued with the act which he
was performing, because of his duty as a religious, until he had finished
burying the Indian; and then, putting his hand in his breeches, he caught
the snake by the neck and drew it out and threw it away, without receiving
any harm from it.
* Remarks on the Philippine Islands and on their capital Manila, 1$19-
1822. By an Englishman. From Blair and Robertson, op. cit. 51 (1907)
142.
“Tt is said by the Indians. [Footnote in Blair and Robertson.]
“Perhaps Boa hortulana? [Footnote in Blair and Robertson. ]
+ Historia de la Provincia del Santo Rosario de la Orden de Predica-
dores, by Diego Aduarte, O. P. translated by Blair and Robertson, op. cit.
32 (1905) 107, 108.
* A sort of trousers, generally made of cloth, covering the legs as far
as the knees, buttoned or hooked together on the outside. It has also a
dust-guard, which extends to the shoe. It is mainly used by laborers,
carriers, and the hke. (Dominguez’s Diccionario Nacional.) [Footnote
in Blair and Robertson.]
HISTORICAL 19
Father Mastrili,* speaking of the capture of the Sultan’s
palace in Mindanao in 1636, says:
What we saw when we came to take out this throne certainly surprised
us; for, before we reached the fire, two most venomous serpents came out
from the feet of the chair, terrifying the soldiers greatly. And truly, -
nothing other than serpents and poison ought to guard the chair of the
great devil of Mindanao.
Antonio Mozo + writes in 1763:
Among these [remedies] are the gall and fat of the python (called
saua and biting, in various dialects) and another similar species of ser-
pent, which reach an enormous size in the forests of the interior. The
gall is used both internally and externally by the natives, to cure chills
and pains in the stomach—to which they are especially liable from going
barefooted, and more or less naked, through mud and rain at all times;
also for malignant fevers and any inflammation which causes them.
* * * The fat of these serpents is equally efficient for swellings or
pains in the muscles and sinews, especially those caused by chills and
exposure to weather.
I do not know who made the earliest herpetological collection
in the Philippines, but as early as 1829 Eschscholtz in his Zo6-
logical Atlas describes a sea turtle, Chelonia olivacea, from Manila
Bay, and a large lizard, Hydrosaurus pustulosus, the species
commonly known as ibid or balubid in the Philippines.
In 1835 Wiegmann ¢ described a new snake, Elaps calligaster,
together with the lizards Peropus mutilatus and Draco sptlop-
terus; and Varanus salvator ig recorded as occurring in the
Islands. This collection was made by F. J. F. Meyen.
Schlegel || must have had some Philippine material at hand in
1837 since he described in that year Hemibungarus collarts, a
rare Philippine snake.
Hugh Cuming began his collecting in the Philippine Islands
in 1836 and continued until 1840. He obtained about thirty-
seven species of snakes and about twenty-nine species of lizards.
From that time down to 1898 a number of important collections
were made by the following men or expeditions: Wilkes Explor-
ing expedition (1838-1842); expedition of the Astrolobe and
Zélée; Friederich Jagor (1859-1861); Karl Semper (1858—
1866) ; Adolph B. Meyer (1870-1873) ; A. Everett, John White-
* Letter from Father Marcelo Francisco Mastrili to Father Juan de
Zalazar, translated in Blair and Robertson, op. cit. 27 (1905) 269.
t Noticia historico natural, translated by Blair and Robertson, op. cit.
48 (1907) 120.
~ Nova Acta Acad. Leop.-Carol (1835) 253, pl. 25, fig 2.
Phys. Serp. 2 (1837).
20 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
head (1885 and 1890-1896) ; Von Moellendorf and Otto Koch
(1886-1905) ; A. Schadenberg (18927).
Since American occupation several important collections have
been made. Those of Maj. Edgar A. Mearns, Maj. T. M. J.
Partello, Dr. J. B. Steere, and Dr. J. C. Thompson have found
their way into American museums. Those made by C. M. Weber,
Willie Schultze, Richard C. McGregor, and Lawrence E. Griffin
ave contained in the Bureau of Science collections.
My own collection on which the bulk of this work is founded
was made during 1912 to 1916. Specimens taken in 1917 to
1919 are in the Bureau of Science collections.
The collections in the University of Santo Tomas Museum and
in El Ateneo de Manila date back for many years and were
probably made by the numerous students in those institutions.
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PHILIPPINE SNAKES
Only such titles as have a direct value in the systematic
study of the Philippine forms have been included. A number
of other works contain references to Philippine snakes, but most
of these omitted works have no original systematic data.
Bargour, THOMAS. A contribution to the zoégeography of the East Indian
Islands. Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard College 44 (1912) 1-203,
8 pls.
A splendid piece of work on faunal relationships of the Malay
Archipelago and the East Indian islands, with an annotated list of
herpetological specimens collected or studied. There is appended a
Jong series of tables cf distribution which include species known to
this territory. From the Philippines are listed 21 frogs, 18 lizards,
26 snakes, 1 turtle, and 1 crocodile.
Of the snakes, Bungarus fasciatus Schneider and Trimeresurus
sumatranus Raffles are given in the tables as occurring in the Phil-
ippine Islands. The inclusion of the former species is probably an
error; the latter is probably synonymous with T. schultzei Griffin.
BoETTGER, OSKAR. Aufzdhlung der von den Philippinen bekannten Rep-
tilien und Batrachier. Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 91-134.
This paper, which as its title states is a check list of the turtles,
crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and frogs, lists the following: Turtles,
5 species belonging to 5 genera and 8 families: Crocodiles, 2 species
belonging to 1 genus and 1 family; Lizards, 48 species (including
2 subspecies) belonging to 18 genera and 4 families; Snakes, 85
species belonging to 40 genera and 18 families. Many of the species
of snakes are incorrectly included in the list, and many are rep-
resented under more than one name. The work is merely a com-
pilation from the works of other authors.
BOETTGER, OSKAR. Katalog der Reptilien-Sammlung im Museum der
Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Frankfurt am
Main; I. Theil. (Rhynchocephalen, Schildkréten, Krokodile, Eidechsen,
Chameleons) Frankfurt am Main (1893).
A few Philippine specimens are listed.
BIBLIOGRAPHY 21
BoETTGER, OsSkKaR. Ueber 4ussere Geschlechtscharactere bei den See-
schlangen. Zool. Anz. 11 (1888) 395-398.
Variations in three species of Philippine sea snakes are discussed.
Eight species are listed from the Philippines.
BoETTGER, OSKAR. Neue Reptilien und Batrachier von den Philippinen.
Zool. Anz. 20 (1897) 161-166.
Lepidodactylus brevipes from Samar, and Lygosoma (Homolepida)
moellendorfii (= Sphenomorphus moellendorffi Boettger) from Tablas
are the new lizards described. Two new snakes, Typhlops ruber and
Ablabes philippinus (= Liopeltis philippinus), and a frog, Calo-
phrynus acutirostris (= Kalophrynus acutirostris), are also described.
BoETTGER, OSKAR. Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1889) 26, lists a collection of
BOE.
reptiles from the Philippines collected by Moellendorff. Fordonia
unicolor Gray is reported for the first time from the Philippines.
Idem, ibid. (1890) Ixiii, lists a collection of reptiles and batrachians
from Leyte, Philippine Islands.
Idem, ibid. (1892) xlix, lists Philippine snakes, with one record
for Catanduanes of Dipsas angulata Peters. (= Boiga angulata
Peters).
Idem, ibid. (1898) xxix, lists a collection of reptiles from Manila.
Idem, ibid. (1897) lv, lists a collection from Manila, Cebu, Samar,
and Culion. Lycodon aulicus capucina Boie is listed from Cebu.
Idem, ibid. (1898) xxxviii, lists 5 specimens of Disteira cyanocincta
from Lake Taal, Luzon.
Idem, ibid. (1905) 170, lists a collection from the Philippines, in-
cluding 14 specimens of Disteira cyanocincta from Lake Taal.
Idem, ibid. (1906) 115, lists a few Philippine snakes.
Isis (1827) 535, describes Tropidonotus spilogaster (= Natria
spilogaster.)
BOULENGER, GEORGE ALBERT. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British
Museum of Natural History. London 1 (1898) i-xiii + 1-448,
pls. 1-28; 2 (1894) i-xi+ 1-882, pls. 1-20; 3 (1896) i-xiv +
1~727, pls. 1-25.
In vol. 1 Stegonotus dumerilii is renamed and drawings are given
of the following: Typhlops cumingti Gray; Tropidonotus auriculatus
(= Natrix auriculata Gtinther); Oxyrhabdium leporinum Giinther ;
Zaocys luzonensis Giinther. In vol. 2 drawings are given of Oligodon
modestus Giinther, Calamaria everetti, and Typhlogeophis brevis
Giinther. In vol. 3 Hurria microlepis and Dryophiops philippina
are described. Drawings are given of these two species and of
Lachesis flavomaculatus Gray. Many Philippine species are listed
and described throughout the work.
BOULENGER, GEORGE ALBERT. On the herpetological fauna of Palawan and
Balabac. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. VI 14 (1894) 81-90.
There are listed 1 turtle, 7 lizards, 16 snakes, and 13 frogs.
Polyodontophis bivittatus is described as new. Trimeresurus for-
mosus Schlegel and Trimesurus subannulatus Gray are listed. Rana
palavanensis, Rana varians, Rhacophorus everetti, and Imalus longi-
crus are described as new. Of the 37 species named, 14 are listed
from Balabac. The following snakes are also listed:
Tropidonotus spilogaster Boie (= Natrix spilogaster Boie).
Tropidonotus chrysargus Schlegel (= Natrix chrysargus Schlegel).
29 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Coluber erythrurus (= Elaphe philippina Griffin).
Coluber oxycephalus Boie (= Gonyosoma oxycephala Boie).
Dendrophis pictus Gmelin.
Dipsas dendrophila Schlegel (= Boiga dendrophila multicincta
Boulenger).
Psammodynastes pulverulentus Boie.
Cerberus rhynchops Schneider (= Hurria rhynchops Schneider).
Naia tripudians Merrem (= Naja naja miolepis Boulenger).
Adeniophis bilineatus Peters (= Doliophis bilineatus Peters).
Amblycephalus boa Boie (= Haplopeltura boa Boie).
Trimeresurus formosus Schlegel (= Trimeresurus schultzei Griffin).
Trimesurus subannulatus Gray (= ? Trimeresurus wagleri wagleri
Boie).
BOULENGER, GEORGE ALBERT. A catalogue of the reptiles and batrachians
of Celebes with special reference to the collections made by Drs.
P. & F. Sarasin in 1893-1896. Proce. Zool. Soc. London (1897) 193-
237, pls. 7-11.
A list is given of species occurring in the Philippines that are
also common to Celebes. A discussion of the faunal relations is
added.
BOULENGER, GEORGE ALBERT. Description of two new snakes of the genus
Calamaria. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. VI 16 (1895) 481.
Calamaria mindorensis from the Everett collection is described
from Mindoro.
CASTO DE ELERA. Catalogo sistematico de toda la fauna de Filipinas cono-
cida hasta el presente, y 4 la vez el de la coleccién zoolégica del Museo
de PP. Dominicos del Colegio-Universidad de Sto. Tomas de Manila,
escrito con motivo de la exposicién regional Filipina. Manila, Im-
prenta del Colegio de Santo Tomas (1895-1896) 3 vols.
Volume 1 (1895), Vertebrados, devotes pages 399 to 454 to a list
of the crocodilians, batrachians, turtles, lizards, and snakes. Among
the species of snakes listed a great many records have not been
authenticated. It is not improbable that Casto de Elera had before
him a collection of snakes from southern Asia, or other extra-Phil-
ippine localities, which purported to come from the Philippine Islands.
At the present time, however, there are no foreign snakes in the col-
lections of the University of Santo Tomas.
CATANJAL, ANDRES. Report on the poisonous snakes in the Philippines,
pp. 1-45. [Manuscript.] An interesting work prepared for the
Philippine Bureau of Health. Contains pertinent data on deaths
caused from the bites of poisonous snakes. It gives a list of native
names of snakes supposedly poisonous, and records various real or
superstitious medicines and cures.
Cops, Epwarp DRINKER. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1860) 244,
245.
Simotes phenochalinus (= Holarchus ancorus Girard) and Simotes
aphanospilus (= Holarchus ancorus Girard) are described as new.
A few other Philippine snakes are listed.
DumemriL, A. M. C., and Bisron, G. Erpétologie général ou histoire nat-
urelle complete des reptiles (1834-1854) 9 vols.
Volume 7 contains the following original descriptions: Calamaria
gervaisn, p. 76; Lycodon miilleri (= Stegonotus muelleri Duméril
BIBLIOGRAPHY 23
and Bibron) p. 382; Stenognathus modestus (= Oxyrhabdium mo-
destum Duméril and Bibron) p. 503; Leptophis vertebralis (=?) p.
548. Leptophis vertebralis, if from the Philippines is probably a
species of Natrix. Their specimen of Campylodon prevostianum, p.
964, probably originated in southern India and not in Manila.*
FiscHer, J. G. A list of reptiles and batrachians of Mindanao. Jahrb.
wiss. Anst. Hamburg 2 (1885) 80 pls.
Geophis schadenbergi (= Oxyrhabdium modestum Duméril and
Bibron) and Trimeresurus schadenbergi (= Trimeresurus flavoma-
culatus Gray) are described as new. Twenty-one other species are
listed from southern Mindanao. Geophis schadenbergi is figured,
pl. 3, fig. 4.
GARMAN, SAMUEL. New and little-known reptiles and fishes in the museum
collections. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard Coll. 8 (1881) 85-93.
Hydrophis semper is described as a new species from “Lake Taal,
Luzon Island, Philippines” from a specimen collected by Dr. Carl
Semper. Boulenger recognizes this as a distinct species.
GIRARD, CHARLES. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1857) 196.
Describes the lizard Leiolopisma vulcania under the name Lipinia
vuleania, and Holarchus ancorus under the name Nenodon ancorus.
GIRARD, CHARLES. United States Exploring Expedition during the years
1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, under the command of Charles Wilkes,
U. S. N., Vol. XX., Herpetology. With folio Atlas. Philadelphia,
J. B. Lippincott and Co. (1858) i-xvii and 1-496.
Lists 2 frogs, 1 snake, and 5 lizards from the Philippines. The
snake is Xenodon ancorus Girard (= Holarchus ancorus Girard).
GOGORZA Y GONZALES, Jose D. Datos para la fauna Filipina; Vertebrados;
Madrid, Imprenta de Fortaner (1888) 57 pages. Extract from Anal.
de la Soc. Esp. de Hist. Nat. 17 (1888).
This paper lists 87 reptiles and 10 amphibians. Pages 30 to 34
give a list of 51 Philippine snakes in the Museo de Ciencias Naturales
de Madrid. Fourteen of these are referred only to the genera. A
species is referred to the genus Aspidura from Angat, Bulacan. This
is an error, as the genus is confined to Ceylon. Another species is
referred to Oxwybelis, a genus confined to South America. The fol-
lowing species if correctly identified probably did not originate in
the Philippines: Calamaria vermiformis Duméril and Bibron; Cory-
phodon korros Reinwardt; Tragops nasutus Wagler; Dipsas drapiezti
Duméril and Bibron; and Hydrophis schistosus Daudin. The list is
obviously rather untrustworthy.
GRAY, JOHN Epwarp. Zool. Miscellany (1842) 48 to 50.
Describes Megera flavomaculatus, Megera ornata, Megexra varie-
gata, Trimesurus subannulatus, and Trimesurus philippensis.
The first three species are referred to Trimeresurus flavomaculatus
Gray; Trimesurus subannulatus, to Trimeresurus waglerit. The speci-
mens are from the Cuming Philippine collection; the exact localities
are not given.
GRAY, JOHN Epwarp. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 11 (1848) 46.
Describes Lapemis loreata (= Lapemis hardwickii Gray).
* See Boulenger, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 380.
24 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Gray, JouN Epwarp. Catalogue of Lizards in the British Museum. Lon-
don (1854).
The following species of snakes are described as new from the Phil-
ippines: Argyrophis truncatus Gray (= Typhlops braminus Daudin) ;
Anilios ruficauda Gray (= Typhlops ruficauda Gray); Onychophis
olivaceus Gray (= Typhlops olivaceus Gray); Onychophis cumingii
Gray (= Typhlops cumingii Gray). These species are founded on
specimens in the Cuming collection from the Philippines.
GRAY, JOHN Epwarp. Catalogue of Viperine Snakes in the British Museum
(1849).
Records Parias flavomaculatus Gray, Parias ornata Gray, Parias
variegata Gray, and Trimesurus philippensis Gray, on pages 9 and 10.
GRIFFIN, LAWRENCE E. Two new species of snakes found in the Philippine
Islands. Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 55, 56.
Dendrelaphis cxruleatus and D. fuliginosus are described as new.
These forms are probably synonymous with D. terrificus and D. mo-
destus, respectively.
GRIFFIN, LAWRENCE E. A list of snakes found in Palawan. Philip. Journ.
Sci. § A 4 (1909) 595-601.
Dryocalamus philippinus, Elaphe philippina, Oligodon iwahigensis,
and Trimeresurus schultzet are described as new. The first records
for the Philippines for Liopeltis tricolor Schlegel and Trimeresurus
gramineus are included. I question the correctness of the latter rec-
ord. Thirty-two species and 2 subspecies are listed, based on the
collection of Everett (studied by Boulenger), and those of H. M.
Weber and W. Schultze which are now in the Bureau of Science col-
lection.
GRIFFIN, LAWRENCE E. A list of snakes from the Island of Polillo, P. L.,
with descriptions of a new genus and two new species. Philip. Journ.
Sei. § D 5 (1910) 211-218, pl. 1, 1 text fig.
Haplonodon is the new genus, with H. philippinensis as its type.
Trimeresurus halieus is also described as new. Fourteen other species
are listed.
GRIFFIN, LAWRENCE E. A check-list and key of Philippine snakes. Philip.
Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 253-268.
Lists 94 species and subspecies of snakes, based largely on the
Philippine Bureau of Science collection. Nenopeltis unicolor Rein-
wardt and Zaocys carinatus Giinther are reported for the first time
from the Philippines. The following species are eliminated from
Griffin’s checklist or their nomenclature changed by the present work:
Holarchus octolineatus (Schneider). Philippine snakes referred to
this species should probably be Holarchus meyerlinkii.
Holarchus phxnochalinus (Cope) (= H. ancorus Girard).
Dendrophis punctulata (Gray), included apparently only on the
record of Parenti and Picaglia, which appears to be incorrect.
Elaphe oxycephala (Boie) (= Gonyosoma oxycephala Boie).
Ablabes ivicolor (Schlegel) (= Liopeltis tricolor) ,
Ablabes philippina (= Liopeltis philippina).
Dendrelaphis cxruleatus Griffin (= ? D. terrificus Peters) .
Dendrelaphis fuliginosus Griffin (= ?D. modestus Boulenger).
Gerardia prevostiana (Eydoux et Gervaise), included by Griffin on
Duméril and Bibron’s record which appears incorrect).
BIBLIOGRAPHY F 95
Naja naja ceca (Gmelin) (= N. n. philippinensis).
Trimeresurus sumatranus (Raffles) (= T. schultzei Griffin).
GuIcHENOT, A. In Dumont d’ Urville Voyage Péle Sud et Oceanie, Zool.,
Rept. (1853).
Describes Tropidolemus hombroni (= Trimeresurus philippensis
Gray) p. 23, pl. 2, fig. 2, from Zamboanga.
GUNTHER, ALBERT. Catalogue of Colubrine Snakes in the Collection of the
British Museum, London (1858) i-xvi + 1-281.
A new genus, Hologerrhum, with the type Hologerrhum philip-
pinum, is described. The following species are described as new from
the Philippines: Calamaria grayi; Rhabdosoma leporinum (= Oxy-
rhabdium leporinum) ; Rhabdosoma oxycephalum (= Pseudorhabdium
oxycephalum. The following species are listed from the Philippines:
Calamaria gervaisiti Duméril and Bibron.
Calamaria lumbricoidea part (= Calamaria grayi Ginther).
Simotes purpurascens Schlegel var. C. (= Holarchus ancorus Gi-
rard).
Tropidonotus spilogaster Boie (= Natriv spilogaster Boie).
Tropidonotus chrysargus (= Natrix chrysargus Boie).
Elaphis subradiatus Schlegel (= Elaphe erythrurus Duméril and
Bibron).
Spilotes melanurus Schlegel (= Elaphe philippina and erythrurus).
Gonyosoma oxycephalum Reinwardat.
Psammodynastes pulverulentus Boie.
Crysopelea ornata Shaw.
Dendrophis pictus Gmelin.
Crysopelea rubescens Gray (= Dryophiops philippina Boulenger) .
Dendrophis punctulata (= Dendrelaphis terrificus Peters).
Dryophis prasina Reinwardt.
Eudipsas cynodon Cuvier (= Boiga cynodon Cuvier).
Dipsas dendrophila (= Boiga dendrophila).
Amblycephalus boa Kuhl (= Haplopeltura boa Kuhl).
Lycodon aulicus Linneus (= Ophites aulicus Linnzus).
Lycodon mullert Duméril and Bibron (= Stegonotus dumerilit Bou-
lenger).
Cyclocorus lineatus Reinhardt.
Hamadryas elaps Schlegel (= Naja hannah Cantor).
Naja tripudians var. F. Merrem (= Naja naja samarensis Peters).
Elaps calligaster Wiegmann (= Hemibungarus calligaster Wieg-
mann).
Elaps intestinalis var. (= Doliophis philippinus Giinther).
Platurus laticaudatus (= Laticauda colubrina Schneider).
These identifications refer only to Philippine records.
GUNTHER, ALBERT. On the genus Elaps Wagler. Proc. Zool. Soc. London
(1859) 79-89.
Callophis intestinalis Laurenti var. A. (= Doliophis philippinus
Giinther) is figured and described.
GUNTHER ALBERT. The reptiles of British India. London (1864) i-xxvii
+ 1-452, pls. 1-26.
An extensive treatise on the reptiles of India and southern Asia.
Oligodon modestus is described as new from the Philippines. The
26 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
following are attributed to the Philippines, and a few other forms are
mentioned as occurring in the Philippines:
Ophiophagus elaps (= Naja hannah Cantor).
Chersydrus granulatus.
Dipsas cynodon (= Boiga cynodon Cuvier).
Hydrophis loreata Gray (= Lapemis hardwickti Gray).
Caliophis intestinalis philippina Giinther (= Doliophis philippinus
Giinther).
GUNTHER, ALBERT. Notes on some reptiles and batrachians obtained by
Dr. Adolph Bernhard Meyer in Celebes and the Philippine Islands.
Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1873) 165-172, pls. 17, 18.
Ten Philippine lizards are listed, with copious notes. A drawing
of the head of Sphenomorphus jagori Peters is given under the name
Hinulia variegata. The snakes Oligodon notospilus from Mindanao
and Zaocys luzonensis from Luzon are described as new. Hologerr-
hum philippinum Giinther and Oligodon notospilus are figured by
complete drawings, and Pseudorhabdium oxycephalum Giinther by
three text figures under the name Oxycalamus oxycephalus. Six
snakes are listed.
GUNTHER, ALBERT. List of the mammals, reptiles, and batrachians sent
by Mr. Everett from the Philippine Islands. Proc. Zool. Soc. London
(1879) 74-79, pl. 4. :
Lists 1 tortoise, 1 crocodile, 20 lizards, 17 snakes, and 7 frogs.
A new genus of snakes, Typhlogeophis, is described, with T. brevis
as the type. Dendrophis philippinensis is described as new; this is
Dendrelaphis terrificus Peters. A good drawing is given of this
species. The type locality of both these species is northern Minda-
nao (possibly Dinagat in the case of the former species). The other
species reported are:
Calamaria gervaisti Duméril and Bibron.
Rhabdosoma modestum Duméril and Bibron (= Oxyrhabdium mo-
destum Duméril and Bibron).
Oligodon modestus Giinther.
Odontomus muellert Duméril and Bibron (= Stegonotus mueller
Duméril and Bibron).
Spilotes melanurus Schlegel (= Elaphe erythrurus Duméril and
Bibron).
Tragops prasinus Reinwardt (= Dryophis sp.).
Dipsas dendrophila Reinwardt (= Boiga dendrophila latifasciata
Boulenger).
Dipsas cynodon Cuvier (== Boiga cynodon Cuvier).
Hologerrhum philippinwin Gunther.
Psammodynastes pulverulentus Boie.
Lycodon aulicus Linneus (= Ophites aulicus Linneus).
Cerberus rhynchops Schneider (= Hurria rynchops Schneider).
Naja tripudians (= ? Naja naja philippinensis subsp. noy.).
Trimeresures wagleri Schlegel.
Trimeresurus flavomaculatus Gray.
Most of these species are from northeastern Mindanao, and from
Dinagat; a few are from Negros and Leyte.
GUNTHER, ALBERT. Descriptions of two snakes from the “Challenger”
collections. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. V 11 (1883) 136, fig.
BIBLIOGRAPHY OT
Tropidonotus dendrophiops (= Natrix dendrophiops Giinther) is
described from Zamboanga, Mindanao.
JAN, G. Elenco sistematico, degli Ofidi. Milan (1863).
The following species are described or listed from the Philippines:
Lycodon tessellatus (= Ophites tessellatus Jan).
Hydrophis abbreviatus and Hydrophis brevis (= Lapemis hard-
wickii Gray).
Hydrophis westermannt (= Disteira cyanocincta Daudin).
Tropidonotus spilogaster Boie (= Natria spilogaster Boie).
Composoma melanurum (= Elaphe erythrurus Duméril and Bibron).
JAN, G. Iconographie general des ofidiens. Milan (1860-1881).
Livr. 10 (1865), pl. 2, fig. 1, Calamaria gervaisii. .
Livr. 21 (1867), pl. 4, fig. 2, Composoma melanurum manillensis
(= Elaphe erythrurus Duméril and Bibron).
Livr. 27 (1868), pl. 2, fig. 1, Natrix spilogaster Boie.
Livr. 30 (1868), pl. 6, fig. 8, Campylodon prevostianuwm Duméril
and Bibron (= Gerardia prevostianum Duméril and Bibron).
Livr. 36 (1870), Lycodon tessellatus (= Ophites tessellatus Jan).
Livr. 39 (1872), pl. 5, fig. 1, Hydrophis westermanni (= Disteira
cyanocincta Daudin).
Livr. 41 (1872), Hydrophis igrocinctus (= Disteira spiralis Shaw).
Meyer, A. B. Mon. Berl. Ak. (1869).
Hemibungarus calligaster is listed from the Philippines.
Meyer, A. B. Sitzb. Akad. Berl. (1886).
Adeniophis philippinus is described on page 614.
MUuter, F. Katalog der Herpetologischen Sammlung des Basler Mu-
seums (1878). I. Nachtrag Catalog der Herpetologischen Sammlung
des Basler Museums (1880). II. Nachtrag Cat. Herp. Samml. Basler
Mus. (1882). III.-Nachtrag Cat. Herp. Samml. Basler Mus. 1883.
IV. Nachtrag Cat. Herp. Samml. Basler Mus. (1885).
In the catalogue and the various supplements a few species of
Philippine reptiles are given. Most of the Philippine specimens are
listed in the third supplement.
Miter, F. Verh. Nat. Ges. Basel. 17 (1883).
Callophis gemianulis (= Hemibungarus calligaster Wiegmann)
is described on page 289.
PARENTI, P., and Picaciis, L. Rettili ed anfibi racolti da P. Parenti nel
viaggio di cireumnavigazions della r. corruetta “Vettor Pisani” negli
anni 1882-85, e da V. Ragazzi sulle coste del mar rosso e dell’ America
meridionale negli anni 1879-84. Atti. Soc. Nat. Modena, Mem.
Orig. III 5 (1886) 1-96.
This paper lists a number of reptiles from Ticao Island. Many of
the identifications are very untrustworthy. The following species
are listed:
Hemidactylus frenatus Duméril and Bibron.
Spathoscalabotes mutilatus Giinther (= ? Hemiphyllodactylus insu-
laris Taylor).
Lophura amboinensis Schlosser.
Gecko japonicus (= ?).
Monitor chloristigma (= ?).
Dendrophis punctulata Gray (= 2).
Dendrophis terrificus Peters.
28 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Dendrophis octolineata (= Dendrelaphis terrificus Peters).
Rhacophorus maculatus Gray (= Polypedates leucomystaw Graven-
horst).
Perers, W. Report on collections of F. Jagor in Malacca, Java, Borneo,
and the Philippines, second report. Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 683-691.
The following Philippine species are reported, mostly from south-
ern Luzon and from Samar and Leyte:
Typhlops braminus Daudin.
Typhlops (Anilios) ruficauda Gray.
Lyphlops jagorii, described as new from Isarog Volcano, southern
Luzon.
Onychocephalus (Onychophis) olivaceus Gray (= Typhlops oliva-
ceus Gray).
Python reticulatus Schneider.
Chersydrus granulatus Schneider.
Calamaria Gervaisti Duméril and Bibron.
Stenognathus modestus Duméril and Bibron (= Oxyrhabdiwm mo-
destum Duméril and Bibron).
Plagiodon erythrurus Duméril and Bibron (= Elaphe erythrura
Duméril and Bibron).
Composoma melanurum Schlegel (= Elaphe erythrurus Dumeril
and Bibron).
Spilotes Samarensis is described as new (= Stenognathus muelleri
Duméril and Bibron).
Tropidonotus stolatus Linneus (= ? Natria stolata Linneus).
Tropidonotus lineatus (= Natrix lineata Peters) is described as
new from Loquilocun, Samar.
Tripodonotus spilogaster Boie (= Natrix spilogaster Boie).
Tropidonotus auriculatus Giinther (= Natrix auriculatus Giinther).
Cerberus boaeformis Schneider (= Hurria rhynchops Schneider).
Psammodynastes pulverulentus Boie.
Chrysopelea ornata Boie.
Dendrophis pictus Reinwardt.
_ Dendiophis caudolineatus Gray (= Deirdrelaphis terrificus) Peters.
Dryophis prasinus Reinwardt (= Dryophis sp. Cope ?).
Gonyosoma oxycephalum Reinwardt.
Lycodon aulicus Linneus (= Ophites aulicus Linneus).
Lycodon Miilleri Duméril and Bibron (= Stenognathus dumérilii
Boulenger).
Cyclocorus lineatus Reinwardt.
Dipsas (Dipsadomorphus) angulata (= Boigu angulata) is de-
seribed as new from Leyte.
Elaps calligaster Wiegmann (= Hemibungarus calligaster Wieg-
mann).
Naja (Humadryas?) fasciala is described as new from Samar. This
is probably the young of Naja hannah.
Naja tripudians samarensis is described as a new variety from
Samar (= Naja naja samarensis Peters).
Platurus fasciatus Daudin (= ? Laticauda laticaudatus Linneeus).
Bothrops viridis (= Trimeresurus sp.).
BIBLIOGRAPHY 29
Tropidolaemus subannulatus Gray and var. maculatus Gray (=
Trimeresurus wagleri Boie).
Tropidolaemus Philippinensis Gray (= Trimeresurus philippensis
Gray).
PETERS, W. Herpetological notes, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1867) 13-37.
The following snakes are listed from the Philippines: Tragops pra-
sinus Boie (= Dryophis sp.) ; Dipsas Philippina (= Boiga philippina)
(described as new from Ylaces, northwest of Luzon); Tropidolaemus
Hombroni Guichenot (= ? Trimesurus philippensis Gray). These
specimens were taken by Semper. A few new lizards and frogs are
described as new.
PETERS, W. Mon. Berl. Ak. (1872) 585-587.
Reports upon 3 new species of snakes, Calamaria bitorques, Stenog-
nathus brevirostris, and Hemibungarus gemianulus from the Philip-
pines. Stenognathus brevirostris Peters (= Oxyrhabdium leporinum
Gtinther) ; Hemibungarus gemianulus Peters (= Hemibungarus calli-
gaster Wiegmann). These specimens were collected by Wallis in the
Philippines; the exact localities are not recorded.
PETERS, W. Sitz. Ber. Ges. Nat. Freunde, Berlin (1881) 109.
Callophis bilineatus (= Doliophis bilineatus Peters), from Palawan,
is described.
REINHARDT, J. T. Kgl. Dansk. Vid. Afhand. (1843).
Describe Lycodon lineatus (= Cyclocorus lineatus Reinhardt).
ROSARIO Y SALAS, ANACLETO DEL. Los ofideos venenosos mas comunes en
el pais. [From a typed copy of original manuscript. ]
This paper was published by La Real Sociedad Econémica de Amigos
del Pais in Manila. It contains a juvenile attempt at a classifica-
tion of Philippine snakes, and gives certain supposed cures for snake
bites.
He gives the name Furina philippinensis to a snake known in the
native dialect as taling-bilawo which, from the description, probably
applies to Hemibungarus calligaster Wiegmann. The description
is as follows: “Escamas iguales y pequefias, gastrotegas sencillas y
urostegas dobles; vientre blanco amarillento; cuerpo con fondo del
mismo color y unas noventa y seis fajas negras trasversales, mati-
zadas en su centro y por los lados por escamas amarillentas; partes
laterales del cuerpo constituidas por escamitas amarillentas orilladas
de negro y con rayitas longitudinales también negras y que unen el
angulo anterior con el posterior; cola delgada, larga y conica; cabeza
casi tan grande como el cuerpo con nueve placas que afectan igual
disposicién que las del Dahunpalay (Tragops Xanthozonius); ojos
grandes y horizontales; hocico romo; ambos maxilares armados de
numerosos dientes; los supra-maxilares anteriores surcados pero no
perforados, delgados y mas largos que los posteriores que son en
numero de seis a ocho por lado.”*
SCHLEGEL, H. Essai sur la physionomie des serpens. The Hague (1837)
2 vols.
Elaps collaris (= Hemibungarus collaris is described from the Phil-
ippines. The species is figured in Schlegel, Abbild. (1844) 187,
pl. 46, figs. 10 and 11.
* From the original manuscript.
30 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
SEOANE, Victor Lopez. Neue Boidengattung und Art von den Philippinen.
Abh. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1881) 12. [Author’s separate, pp. 1-7, pl. 1.]
Describes a new genus Piesigaster with the species Piesigaster boett-
geri from “der Provinz Iloilo und Pollock auf der Insel Mindanao,”
supposedly captured there by a brother of the author, a ship’s captain
of the Royal Spanish Marine. The specimen is Epicrates inornatus
Reinhardt from the West Indies.
STEINDACHNER, F. Reise der désterreichischen Fregatte Novara um die
Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter den Befehlen des Commo-
dore B. von Wullerstorf-Urbair. Zoologischer Theil. Reptilien, Wien
(1867) 98 pp. 3 pls.; Amphibien, Wien (1867) 70 pp. 5 pls.
One new species Gymnodactylus philippinicus is described, and a few
others are listed from the Philippines. The following Philippine
snakes are described as new: Dipsas guiraonis (= Boiga angulatus
Peters); Lycodon bairdi (= Psammodynastes pulverulentus Boie).
Five other Philippine snakes are recorded.
STEINDACHNER, F. Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien (1867). .
Describes Calamaria philippinica, p. 514, pl. 138, figs. 4-6, and Ty-
phlops petersi, p. 515, pl. 13, figs. 7-9. The first is a synonym of
Calamaria grayi Giinther; the second is probably Typhlops ruticauda
Gray.
STEINDACHNER, F. Sitzb. Akad. Wien, c. (1891).
Describes Simotes meyerlinktt (= Holarchus meyerinkii), page 294.
STEJNEGER, LEONHARD. A new calamarine snake from the Philippine Is-
lands. Smithson. Mise. Coll. (1908) 50.
Describes Calamaria mearnsi from Mindanao.
TAYLOR, EDwArD H. Snakes and lizards known from Negros, with descrip-
tions of new species and new subspecies. Philip. Journ. Sci. § D
12 (1917) 853-382, 2 pls., 2 text figs.
Twenty-four snakes and 24 lizards are listed. Two new species
and 3 new subspecies of snakes, and 4 new lizards are described.
The snakes are Typhlops canlaonensis, Natrix dendrophiops negro-
sensis, Pseudorhabdium menamarex, Calamaria gervaisii iridescens,
and Trimeresurus wagleri alboviridis. All are from Mount Canlaon,
in central northern Negros.
TAYLoR, Epwarp H. Reptiles of the Sulu Archipelago. Philip. Journ.
Sei. § D 13 (1918) 233-267, 3 pls., 11 text figs.
Six new lizards and 1 new snake are described in this paper. The
snake is Typhlops suluensis from Bubuan Island, Sulu. Fifteen snakes
are listed. The following changes are necessary: Ablabes tricolor C=
Inopeltis tricolor Schlegel); Elaphe erythrura Duméril and Bibron
(= Elaphe philippina Griffin); Calamaria gervaisii Duméril and Bi-
bron (= Calamaria suluensis sp. nov.); Laticauda colubrina, part.,
Schneider (= Laticauda laticaudata Linneus).
TAYLOR, Epwarp H. Two new snakes of the genus Holarechus with deserip-
tions of other Philippine species. Philip. Journ. Sci. & Di 13° (£918)
359-369, 2 pls.
Two new snakes, Holarchus burksi and Holarchus maculatus, are
described as new.
TAYLoR, Epwarp H.’ New or rare Philippine reptiles. Philip. Journ. Sci.
14 (1919) 105-125, 2 pls., 2 text figs.
ECONOMIC CONSIDERATION S71:
The following species of snakes are described as new from the Phil-
ippines: Typhlops luzonensis, Typhlops manile, Typhlops rugosa, Typh-
lops longicauda, and Trimeresurus megregori. Four new lizards are
also described.
VAN DENBURGH, JOHN, and THompson, J. C. A new sea snake. Proce.
Cal. Acad. Sci. IV 3 (1908), 41-47, 1 pl.
Disteira cincinnatti is described from Manila Bay.
WIEGMANN, AREND FRIEDRICH AUGUST. Lists and descriptions of Am-
phibia collected during the voyage. Nova Acta Acad. Leop.-Carol.
177 (1835) 258, pl. 25, fig. 2. Reprinted in Meyen, F. J. F., Reise um
die Erde 3 (1834-43).
Describes Elaps calligaster (= Hemibungarus calligaster Wieg-
mann) and Natrix crebripunctata. From specimens collected by
F. J. F. Meyen.
El Archipiélago Filipino. Coleccion de datos geograficos, estadisticos, cro-
nologicos y cientificos, relativos al mismo entresacados de anteriores
obras u obtenidos con la propia observacién y estudio, por algunos
Padres (Jesuitos). Washington, Imprenta del Gobierno 1 (1900).
Tratado IX, Capitulo III. Reptiles y Batracios.
This chapter treats of the reptiles and batrachians of the Islands.
Several interesting notes are given on snakes. Python molurus Gray,
Typhlops diardii, Typhlops ater Schlegel, and Uropeltis philippinus
Cuvier are wrongly attributed to the Philippines. A few lizards are
mentioned. On the whole the account is rather untrustworthy.
ECONOMIC CONSIDERATION OF SNAKES
Many of the Philippine snakes are poisonous, and many deaths
result each year from snake bite. Unfortunately no accurate
records have been kept in the Philippines of the actual number.
In 1912 Andres Catanjal, a health officer of Tarlac Province,
P. I, prepared a work which he designated a report on the
poisonous snakes in the Philippines. This work, which is still
in manuscript form, gives statistics of deaths caused from
poisonous snakes during 1909. As these figures appear to be
accurate I shall utilize his work.*
TABLE 1.—Distribution by provinces of deaths from poisonous snakes dur-
ing 1909 in the Philippines.
Cagayan 3 | Tarlac 6
Isabela 1 | Laguna 3
Ilocos Norte 18 | Batangas 13
Ilocos Sur 5 | Ambos Camarines 1
La Union 2 | Albay 9
Pangasinan 16 | Bohol 2
Nueva Ecija 6 | Misamis 1
It will be seen that 86 deaths were reported in 1909 from
the fourteen provinces listed above. It is impossible to believe
* For the most part it is impossible to make direct quotations from this
work, but the statistical facts here set down are extracted therefrom.
32 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
that these reports cover all of the deaths that actually occurred
during 1909 in the provinces listed. Undoubtedly many occur
among the hill peoples of northern and central Luzon that are
never brought to the attention of the municipal authorities.
TABLE 2.—Showing relation of deaths to density of population.
aes
Popula- ra Square
Praca: Deaths | Square tion, 490, 000 miles for
in 1909. miles. March, inkab- each |
1903. Teena death. |
= = ~~ --} —|- Rive iore a Sen =
Tlocas)Nontescepeesc caso aks eto aie | 18 1,330 10. 05 74. 88
Pa BASIN a fee eererrcieete sate at er nea 16} 1,193 4.02 74.50
BAtan ease, cae aimee Aa ara see ee 13} 1,201 5.04) 92.88
Ag es eames tania 9! 1,788 3.79 198.11
Nueva Ecija 6| 2,169 4.47) 361.60
Parleeec 22s 6) 4,205 4.44 200. 83
TloCOa AS uatecmet a acne rae rence cman actencet 5 | 471 | | 2.66 94. 20
p62 9: oe OR aes Dae ie i ee ie Go cals Not 3 629 | 2.01 209. 66
Cagayan ___ 3 5, 052 1.92 1,684.00
La Union 2] 634 | 1.45. 317.00
2 1,611 0.74 755.50
| 1; 5,018 1.30 | 5,018.00
| 1 3,777 0.56 | 3,777.00
| a 3,279 0.41 3,279.00 |
| s6| 29,252 | 2,736,029 !._....-._.|_------ 22.
Average 340.00. |
ee mes : oe
8 This is a combination of Tables A and B of Catanjal’s work.
From this table it appears that the largest number of deaths
occurs in the more thickly populated districts, especially in the
provinces where rice is raised to a large extent.
Thus we find an average of 3.14 deaths for each 100,000 in-
habitants, and an average of 1 death for each 340 square miles.
By applying these percentages to the entire population and to
the entire territory of the Islands, we arrive at an approximate
number of deaths for the Islands.
Taking the population in 1909 as 8,000,000 and the average
deaths per 100,000 at 3.14, the estimate for the Islands is 251
deaths annually. Based on the total area of the Islands, ap-
proximately 144,000 square miles, with one death for each 340
square miles, the larger estimate of 335 deaths is reached. Since
we observe from the table that the number of deaths appears
to be directly increased by density of population, an estimate
based on population is probably better than one based on ter-
ritory.
Table 3 is a copy of Catanjal’s Table E, and shows the
distribution of the snakes that caused the 86 deaths reported.
IT quote the table in full.
ECONOMIC CONSIDERATION 83
TABLE 3.—Deaths by poisonous snakes locally named.
; + Cara-|Jasua- io-| Ulu. |
Provision, [ATER A Cates Cass aah omar Zanes] he) roi
| | |
WBN kote cree eee | Were rere nh Oe 2 CPN MA Otel | MSY Set 2 3
Tlocos Norte xe s2vcesecece|Vecesnt|scceeee|scceees| (Br lecwzeesleseceee | poessen| Eons 10 18
TOcos: Surah Saas eas ee nae ae eee Soe es AA ee cee al Feces sens eee 5 5
(a WniOnes. oe ne ene wes emeetemell, ) aD ee S| hoe Sole eee we Sa ee 2
Pangasinan <.sssseessees|eseecse|speeewlew cae Oy evens alee Arline woee ug 16
INieva MCHA. 2hs8 00 | pace bee ee ee ey a ee esol a (7g | epee 6
WRATIAC( cio toe cs aes esa 1 2 PAR ener te Renerarenan a Une ai ee 1 6
Dapuniats~ sso =e cece seer eee ed |E eee ee eae Berd eat see Denese, 3
IBatanwasy coke oA i se lee ss et le et Ieee ea ie socrs= 3 Asay | ene |e 13 18
Ambos Camarines wool Sees Neel oon 2 Yeeros ates by eee U1 (Ree ae Perera Pera 1
Albay? -<oss1cesck eee scse| owe po css etetes feecctas|Eeaeesa 9 |esences| Soedesdlesseece 9
BOHOL ss ncksa fet toned bale nee eee ate oleae ltd Bcleats tale aes 2 2
Misamis;-s ssp waa es pase pea olla De paececlle atone ens eias| see 1
Motalis doce eee 1 12 ) 1 | 1| 10 4 6| 44 | 86
It has been impossible to determine exactly from the native
names the species of snakes in question here.
Carasaen is the name usually applied by the Ilocanos to species
of the cobra, Naja hannah and Naja naja.
Alupung and ulupung are Tagalog names applied to the same
species, while jaguason is the Mindanao-Visayan name applied
to Naja naja samarensis and possibly to other cobras. Cama-
malu * is applied to cobras in the Pampanga dialect, while tadzoco
(according to Catanjal) is used in Pangasinan to designate the
same species. In the Bicol provinces the name is applied to
species of Trimeresurus.
Romuranon, according to Peters,t is applied to the species
of Trimeresurus, while Catanjal believes it designates Hemi-
bungarus, and de Elera believes it applies to Dendrophis pictus.
I suspect that it should apply to the species of Trimeresurus.
It will thus be seen that certainly a very large portion of the
deaths in the Islands from snake bites is caused by the cobra,
particularly Naja naja philippinensis, which appears to be rather
widespread in the Philippines.
Catanjal in his work adds a long annotated list of native
names, and in some cases an attempt to identify them has been
made. The following is a list of native names taken largely
from hig work. The identifications appended are my own unless
otherwise stated.
* Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 440, gives this name
for Hemibungarus calligaster Wiegmann.
+ Peters, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 691.
161465——3
34
Noe
oR
qo oo 09
oO fF OOD HR
(os)
ew oo 09 co
or)
aon
SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
LOCAL NAMES FOR PHILIPPINE SNAKES
. Agnasan (Bicol, Ambos Camarines).
. Aguason (Bicol, Visayan).
. Aguasun (Bicol, Visayan).
In the Bicol provinces and in certain Visayan provinces these
three names are synonymous and are applied to Boiga:dendrophila
which is only a slightly poisonous snake. In Samar, Leyte, and
northern Mindanao a variation of this name, jaguason, is sometimes
applied to the cobra Naja naja samarensis, and possibly to other
cobras.
. Ahas, a general or class name for snake. ;
. Ahas-na-bitin (Nueva Ecija), probably Python reticulatus.
. Ahas-na-cuyog (Nueva Ecija), probably Calamaria gervaisii; used to
be found living in groups.
Ahas-na-tulog (Nueva Ecija), sleeping snake; culebra casera
(Spanish) ; names frequently applied to Ophites aulicus.
. Alibot (Ilocano).
. Alimbusogan (Bicol).
. Alimpayawan (Batangas).
. Alimuranin, probably a viper, Trimeresurus.
. Alindayag (Ilocos Sur).
. Almoranin (Marinduque).
. Alumag-in (Cagayan and Isabela).
. Ambubusog (Bicol), a name applied to Dryophis prasinus or other
species of Dryophis.
. Amorong (Ilocano).
. Anamon (Albay); said to be a species of Trimereswrus which is yel-
lowish white, probably T. megregori.
. Anga (Pangasinan).
. Anipa.
20.
. Annagabang (Cagayan).
. Arayat (synonym of ahas-na-cuyog), Calamaria gervaisii.
. Ataybia (Laguna).
. Bactan (Surigao).
. Bagbag (Palawan).
. Bahayon (Surigao).
. Bahon (Bohol); said to be striped yellow, red, and white.
. Balahilo (Batangas); said to be yellow with yellow and black spots
Anipatuleng (Ilocano), a synonym of anipa; said to be a black snake.
on the abdomen.
29. Balanaquen (Palawan).
. Balibat (Luzon); said to be black above and yellow on the abdomen,
and to have two heads.
. Balidbidan (Palawan).
. Balilok (Bicol and Visayan).
3. Balitucan (Ilocos Sur); said to have yellow spots on the body.
. Banacon (Bicol and Visayan).
. Banahanon (Bieol).
. Bannagao (Ilocano).
. Banugbuyan (Ambos Camarines).
. Baraisan (Pangasinan).
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44,
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
ay
oO.
74.
75.
76.
hk
78.
79.
80.
LOCAL NAMES 35
Bartin.
Basibas, a synonym of palapal.
Bayuyok (Bohol).
Beclat (Ilocano).
Bibiyain (Laguna); said to be red above and white below. It is so
named from a fresh-water eel.
Biclat, Python reticulatus.
Bigabiga (Pampanga).
Bigsthan (Bohol).
Bilibidbilaw.
Bintwian (Palawan).
Birtin, Python reticulatus.
Bitin (Pampanga, Marinduque, Panay, Negros), a name for Python
reticulatus. ;
Boa, a name given by Spanish-speaking people to Python reticulatus.
Borayoan (Union).
Boro-bunog (Albay).
Bugang-pikapik (Batangas).
Bugang-saldang (Ambos Camarines).
Bulacan (Occidental Negros), Dendrophis pictus.
Buoyon (Surigao).
Burayoan.
Busasawa (Bohol).
Cabangabauan (Bohol).
Cagang (Cagayan and Isabela); probably a deadly poisonous snake.
Calabucab, a name applied in various localities to Chersydrus granu-
latus, found in both fresh and sea water. It is harmless. The name
is sometimes applied to the poisonous species of Disteira or Lapemis,
particularly Disteira ornatus.
Calapain (Bohol); said to be yellow.
Calapihon (Bicol provinces).
Camamalu (Pampango); synonymous with tadioco and carasaen; a_
name applied to Naja naja and Naja hannah; deadly; Casto de
Elera says that it is Hemibungarus calligaster.
Canlalamat, synonym of camamalu.
Carasaen (Ilocano), a name applied to the cobras.
Carasen-apimorong (Pampango), Naja hannah.
Cawaho.
Caypihin (Marinduque); said to be blue.
Cecilia (Pangasinan).
Cuyog (see ahas-na-cuyog).
Dadayaoen (locos Sur).
Dahilog; said to be a synonym of balitoc.
Dahon-palay, a name usually applied to Dryophis prasinus or to
species of Dendrophis or Dendrelaphis.
Dapug (Misamis).
Digmirogman (Bohol).
Dopong or dupong (Bicol and Visayan); probably Trimeresurus
waglert or other species of Trimeresurus.
Drira (Ilocos Sur).
Duangsungay (Ambos Camarines).
SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
. Dugjo (Misamis); said to be a black burrowing snake, about 20 centi-
meters long (Typhlops braminus).
. Duhol (Batangas); probably Chersydrus granulatus; harmless.
. Garatosan, synonym of ahas-na-cuyog.
. Gujui (Ilocos Sur).
. Hagom (Surigao).
. Haguason or jaguason (Misamis and Butuan); applied to Naja naja;
deadly poisonous.
. Hanhan, Dryophis sp.
. Hanlucayon; said to be a synonym of dahon-palay.
. Ibivgan (Bohol); said to be black above, lighter on the sides, and
yellow on the abdomen.
. Iliu (Bohol); said to be very large, attaining a length of 6 meters.
. Inmadduquing (Ilocos Sur).
. Jaguason, see haguason.
. Kabike (Laguna).
. Laob (Bohol).
. Lepueng (Pangasinan).
. Lilusan (Misamis), Boiga dendrophila.
. Locaylocay (Albay).
. Locoylocoy (Bicol).
. Lopot (Pangasinan).
. Lubag (Bohol).
. Lucayon (Visayan).
. Lumalabao, a synonym of swmasapao.
. Luyen (Ilocos Sur).
. Macaoalo, a synonym of macaualu.
. Magambanay (Surigao).
. Magcal (Negros), Python reticulatus.
. Magcopo (Bohol).
. Magtitina (Misamis).
. Malabasan (Tagalog); applied indiscriminately to various poisonous
water snakes of the genera Disteira and Lapemis.
. Malabiga (Cagayan and Isabela).
. Malatumbagu; sometimes applied to the small harmless snake Natriz
spilogaster.
. Malaugto (Misamis).
. Mamalalaca (Laguna).
. Mamayang (Pangasinan).
. Mamuga (Palawan).
. Manapao, a synonym of dahon-palay.
. Mandadalag (Bohol, Polillo, and Manila); applied to Natrix spilo-
gaster about Manila and, according to Griffin, to Trimeresurus
halieus in Polillo.
. Mandapug (Misamis).
. Mangabang (Pangasinan).
. Manghihiop (Misamis); a name applied to the cobra, Naja naja and
Naja hannah.
. Mangisit, a black variety of manapao.
. Mangongugto, a synonym of malaugto.
. Maninini (Negros), a water snake,
. Manlaso (Palawan).
. Mannocac or manucac; said to feed on frogs.
126.
127.
128.
129.
130.
131.
132.
133.
134.
135.
136.
37.
138.
139.
140.
141.
142.
148.
144.
145.
146.
147.
148.
149.
150.
151.
152.
153.
154.
155.
156.
157.
158.
159.
160.
161.
162.
1638.
164.
165.
166.
167.
168.
169.
170.
171.
172.
LOCAL NAMES 37
Manoc, a synonym of banacon.
Manoca, Natrizx spilogaster.
Manojohoc (Bohol).
Manunugac; applied to species of Dryophis.
Maraubét or maraub-but, said to be a synonym of sumasapao.
Odto-odto ov oro-odto; names applied to various small snakes; in
Negros to Typhlops braminus; in Palawan to Doliophis bilineatus.
The first is harmless; the second is poisonous.
Ongor (Bohol).
Palacang-ahas (Tagalog), Natrix spilogaster.
Palapal; another two-headed snake.
Palaspas, a synonym of dahon-palay.
Pamadduquingen (Ilocos Sur); said to be red and black.
Panas (Ilocos Sur); said to be red and white.
Pandanalion (Surigao).
Paningsingan (Negros), Chersydrus granulatus.
Papala (Misamis), Trimeresurus wagleri.
Pim-maltat; said to be synonymous with dahon-palay.
Pulaan (Ilocos Sur).
Quinongsing (Pangasinan).
Romuranon (Ambos Camarines and Albay), a poisonous snake; ap-
plied to various species of Trimeresurus.
Rupong (Albay), probably a synonym of dupong; Trimeresurus sp.
Salabay (Bohol).
Sapao.
Saua (Visayas), applied to Python reticulatus.
Seckaran (Union).
Sibaga (Bohol).
Silungbilao (Pampango); this may be Hemibungarus sp.
Sordodormillon (Ilocos Norte); probably Ophites aulicus.
Sua (Surigao).
Sultip (Ilocos Norte).
Sumasapao (Ilocano), a tree snake.
Tabading (Manobo), Natrix auriculata.
Tadioco (Pangasinan, Pampanga); applied to the hooded cobras.
Taguhilog (Surigao).
Taguig (Palawan).
Taguiualo (Bohol).
Talamuguingan (Ilocos Norte).
Talasayin (Batangas).
Talbustubu (Marinduque), a synonym of dahon-palay.
Talenbilao; applied to poisonous sea serpents.
Tamangulan (Palawan).
Tamguibolason (Bohol).
Tangkaybiga, a synonym of ulupong.
Tanquig or tanquip (Surigao).
Tinta, a synonym of tuleng or dueng.
Toghod (Bohol).
Tolog (Marinduque), Ophites aulicus.
Tuleng (Ilocano).
38 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
173. Tulog (see ahas-na-tulog).
174. Uao-uao (Misamis), Laticauda colubrina.
175. Ugalupong (Bohol).
176. Ugu (Cagayan and Isabela).
177. Uringan (Cagayan and Isabeia).
178. Viracac (Ilocos Sur).
179. Walo-walo (Negros), Lapemis hardwichii.
FAUNAL RELATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION OF PHILIPPINE SNAKES
The herpetological faunas of the Philippines, particularly the
ophidian fauna, are derived from a variety of sources, but un-
doubtedly their greatest affinity is with Borneo. A casual
glance at a map shows the Philippines joined to surrounding
land bodies by a series of island chains, five or six in number.
To the north there is but a single chain comprised of the
Babuyan and Batan Islands. This chain reaches nearly to For-
mosa, which in turn is joined with Japan through the Riu Kiu
Island group. To the south and southwest there are no less
than three island chains that connect with Borneo. The most
important of these three is the Palawan Island group, including
the Calamianes, the Cuyo Islands, Palawan, and Balabac. The
second chain, not so clearly defined as the former, comprises the
Cagayan Islands, and Cagayan Sulu. The third chain which
approaches more nearly to the mainland is the Sulu Archipelago,
which includes a number of island groups, and the larger islands
Basilan, Jolo, and Tawitawi, with numerous small islands. As
might be suspected the Philippines have far more genera and
species in common with Borneo than with any other land body.
To the south there is a second chain which divides, one branch
connecting with Celebes through the Sanghir Islands, and the
other with Gilolo, and the Moluccas, through Talaur, and Morotei.
There are thirty-three recognized genera of land snakes known
to occur in the Philippines, and five of these are endemic. They
are Oxvyrhabdium, Cyclocorus, Haplonodon, Tuphlogeophis, and
Hologerrhum. The first genus has two known species; each of
the other four is represented by a single species.
Two other genera found in the Philippines have not been
found in Borneo. These are Hemibungarus and Stegonotus.
The first of these, of which there are three known Philippine
species, may have entered from the north, as the genus is repre-
sented on the mainland of Asia in India and two other species
are found in the Riu Kiu Islands. Stejneger states that no
species of the genus has been found in Formosa as yet, but
suggests the possibility of a discovery, mentioning that little
FAUNAL RELATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION 39
is known of the faunas of that island. Since the very closely
related genus Callophis is also a mainland form, the possibility
is strengthened that this genus has been derived through the
northern chain of islands.
The second genus, Stegonotus, with two species, appears to
have arrived from the south by way of the southern chain of
islands connecting with the Moluccas. This is certainly not an
unreasonable conclusion since we find that the genus is as yet
undiscovered in both Celebes and Borneo, while the Moluccas
have two species, New Guinea and surrounding islands two, and
the Australian mainland two.
Of the eleven families recognized in this work representatives
of seven occur in the Philippines. Borneo hag representatives
of another family, the Anillide. It appears rather widespread
in the Malay Archipelago, and may eventually be discovered in
the Philippines. Of the subfamilies of the Natricide the Phil-
ippines have a representative of the Langahinze which apparently
has not been discovered in the other islands of the Malay Ar-
chipelago. Table 4 shows the general distribution of families.
TABLE 4.—Distribution of families and subfamilies of snakes.
Formosa-Japan.
Family and subfamily.
x | Malay Peninsula.
Madagascar.
| Central America.
| New Guinea.
| Luzon-Vicayas.
| Palawan.
| Southern Asia.
| Africa.
x a ' North America.
| South America.
x | Pacific Islands.
|
|
|
x | Australia.
x | Celebes.
x | Moluceas.
x | Europe.
£5514 ool Ko) oy (c k= <r ame Ne oe oe ee
Leptotyphlopidze ___.__...-...-__-_- beset ee cle eae ee ee
Boide: :
Pythonines 24sec acece cee | OX
' x | Sulu-Mindanao.
x xX
x Xx
BOM 355:8 ce seen ese ws | Se eee eee ti eee eee eee
nillid pot aloe renee eRe | - xi x|xlx fe
Uropeltidadtn-s2-2as2asesem emcee eizec- alleen ies
Nenopeltidce << 25225 setcy As es oe ee [he >
Natricidze: |
Acvochordinz -----
Ne@tricingcscaht aa ane eao aes x
Homalopsinae 2.223: oso s >
Coronellinze _____--
Rachiodontinze
BOlpinsereee ee eee le Ba
Elachistodontine __
Mangahing 2-222 nsledecce eet Fant eset
Elapide:
Hyd rind exis hacen eee sar seces x|xX]>
Blapmre a eek aes ataeeee XxX
Amblycephalide ._---_--_----------- ite ieee
Cobridze
Crotalidas cos ook e cesta Bo ere
SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
wy | xx xX xX xX X
‘exjpmng | Xx xX XK X
40
ye |
a
x
Qa
|
a
i]
ae
QD 9 |
. i]
ES
“eauiny MON i
x) x
x
|x
jes Iumae)
a
ap
B 8
“sauB}WElED |
: “epues] OsDD |
“NING UBABRBD |
‘oBRladiyory nyag |
x
‘ABueg |
“BOIdON |
“oI pULy |
“OBUBPUIAY UIO}SAAA | >
é -oeuBpulyy uzay nog |
“opuRpUIY UIAq ION, \
“susqay |
‘uozN’yT ulayynog |
“uoznq [equeg |
“OUMOd |
“uoZN'T UABYIION |
ssourdd iy g ay} Ww bursmas0 saynus fo psauah fo uowngrijsip unouy—
‘uezeg |
‘ueder pue vsow10 7 |
“snuory
ajay. L
MSIIUD
ILOU AS
OR Soe ae OG BOE gee Pa pens sdojydal
Al
FAUNAL RELATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
Se aoe as le iale eayee ERP REE RSS aie Fe IE ee Teale oe laa Peal Reale eae coe ene oe er aoa oe eo eee a DIUOPLOT
x KIX 2 |x S'S > SG) | SoS | aa Se esate asin Sinan ine ere SNANSIAIULLAT,
Staelin | >< ly 3 Ie | ik (ida pe aldini eee aca er 72 3
SCHESS = | | Peter acl thle = tae eae ae ee ml ae oe nee a aes Ty srydouog
x | 4 x “7777 snuipbungquuazy
x aan > SUS eal | casa fecoe | Fe al feaforoed Ua nil) tare feted Le 2S Fe Ua) be a RC os AA win DEON
Be ESR er ete | aster a Ne AE ren Be aa is PE | Sl ere oes RN eis Ee | ete | anya, 2 | Seas Re iene Mabe he kertasea mane snuaphunjag
xxx] x ea a) ca bce ace adc aa ele lac <a a a ala a svuedyT
| 0K lOX [OX Sere hae ec wc Creal che 4 Mise ee lee gar ey all enp Farell noe [anes lion [hy gMi|n (a bliw py meal oh bana ek To ee once aA sions ND Shar ire ages DLV9ISUT
a ai. al 4 Gach |) Vand Psst baie Va i Ui ef | ie es le Re Ree a Olam ata ag DPNDINDT
xlxlx|x Fac] (ec cal Vou GARI Unda | a (Pulm aeaml PunesORRind V2 ese WD Ca a ac ace a ae sninsidip
xIxIKIx x ee eee: < PSION Wad teas | eee = ranma Renan Cae aa cea srydofhuqd
KIX Ix] xX I> 3% 4 | > GPa Tea Seem ee ep Oe ee nee oe pajadoshayd
Gh fs ad fanaa fal jad 7 cies asa | es wi hc der ats eh oka N-GAN GD Ma bad Sle a iN cle aa sdorydohug
ab ab ap.4 |x > slp | x GI" x | ad (2:22 Raa CE Cra a sajspuh powuUvsg
xlx |x] x E : a x SHU labia Vale cee pe aN ee dean ne icine vbiog
anlere|ren]--- ee rae © spree ees re Beh Peo a Bs kt all eb we Ee CAS eh le EE ea ea ee ee ea ae ee ee ane es WNYLLIV0]0FT
x 1X1XIx iy Aral eel SU RRR CEA Al Arann Se SE AIS A ll cilia tet ee MLE RA ene A a
4? SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
For the most part the genera that do occur are widely dis-
tributed in the Philippines. Thus of the thirty-three terrestrial
and arboreal forms, seven have not been taken in Luzon nor, with
two exceptions, in the Visayan Islands. These are Xenopeltis,
Dryocalamus, Sibynophis, Oligodon, Liopeltis, Typhlogeophis,
and Haplopeltura.
Oligodon has been taken in Negros, and Liopeltis in Samar
and in Leyte. These two also occur in the Palawan group
TABLE 6.—Genera of snakes approaching, but probably not entering, the
Philippines.
| Malay Pen- |
insula.
Philippines. |
| Sumatra,
ava.
Borneo
FER ORUS 5a es eS eee
Anomalochilu
Cylindrophis Spat
Acrochordus_ sees eae 2es
ONO CCT INUG xs tte ee eae |
Stolicrkara: cs ee eee occ Soe |
Anoplohydrus
ERO CRNOD N18 sxxemewesne hee eeticcas | sasces
Achalinus -._-_---.--
Macropisthodon
Pseudoxenodon ______--
IV OPOLAD ES: = aa ee eee |
Ophisthotyop his anc sevce os wae eos [ease
Brachyorrhve-<2- 0.2 ec ecees | een
FON SOND CS es ia ee Ree eae
Lepturophis
Idtopholis .___..-___-
Calamothabdium ____
ALOT OD US) 2 ests ne apts < melee topes eek eee a lessee | x tees |
Rhabdophidium ___.--.-.-_--__-__- eee ne Ee eee ee ------ ; ail auiden Deut iS tans Gon |
© -
Callophis | ane Ramey eae eee $3 |
BUNGariss «52.45 kind sree Rater dle eae
BD (HL TYE aL) | jae ee leone BI
Homalopsis
Cantoria
>
8
=
=
ie
=
z
c
ee
«Malay Archipelago. b Western tropical Pacific and China Sea.
ERRONEOUS RECORDS 43
and the Mindanao-Sulu group. Of the other genera, Dryocal-
amus and Sibynophis are known only in the Palawan group;
Xenopeltis, in the Palawan group and the southern Sulu island,
Bongao; Typhlogeophis appears to be confined to Mindanao and
nearby islands; Haplopeltura occurs both in Mindanao and in
Palawan.
No table of the distribution of species is attached but the
known distribution is discussed under individual species treated
in this work.
A table is attached showing the distribution of extra-Philip-
pine genera, some of which may be eventually taken in the
Philippines.
SPECIES OF SNAKES ERRONEOUSLY ATTRIBUTED TO THE PHILIPPINE
ISLANDS
Typhlops philippinus Cuvier, Reg. Anim. 2d ed. 2 (1829) 74; Miller, Trev.
Zeits. Phys. 4: 349; Duméril and Bibron, Erp. Gén. 1: 428.
This is Rhinophis planiceps. It does not occur in the Philippines.
Typhlops diardii Schlegel.
El Archipel. Filipino 1 (1900) 675.
Does not occur in the Philippines.
Typhlops ater Schlegel.
El Archipel. Filipino 1 (1900) 675.
Does not occur in the Philippines.
Python molurus Gray.
El Archipel. Filipino 1 (1900) 673.
Erroneously recorded.
Uropeltis philippinus Cuvier, Reg. Anim. 2d ed. 2 (1829) 76; Duméril and
Bibron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 161; Marshall, Atlas. der Thier. (1887)
pl. 5; Casto de Elera, ‘Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 424.
Rhinophis philippinus Miller.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 424.
This is Rhinophis planiceps Peters, found only in Ceylon.
Calamaria lumbricoidea Boie.
Giinther, part, Cat. Col. Snakes Brit. Mus. (1858) 6; Boettger, Mon.
Berl. Ak. (1886); Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895)
425.
An erroneous record.
Calamaria vermiformis Duméril and Bibron.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 425.
Very probably an erroneous record.
Calamaria temminckii Duméril and Bibron.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 425.
Very probably an erroneous record.
Aspidura brachyorrhos Boie.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 426.
This species is confined to Ceylon.
44. SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Oligodon sublineatus Duméril and Bibron.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 426.
This species is confined to Ceylon and the Nicobars.
Ablabes collaris Gray.
It is probable that this should be Polyodontophis bivittatus Boulenger,
as there are specimens of this species in the Santo Tomas Museum.
Simotes russelli Jan (= Holarchus arnensis Shaw).
This species is confined to India.
Coryphodon korros Schlegel.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 428.
This is Ptyas korros Schlegel. It probably does not occur in the Phil-
ippines.
Coryphodon mucosus Linnezus.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 428.
This is Ptyas mucosus and probably is confined to southeastern Asia.
Coryphodon fuscus Giinther.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 428. e
This species is Zaocys fuscus Giinther and appears to be confined to
Borneo.
Coryphodon hexanotus Cantor.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 428.
This is XYenelaphis hexagonotus Cantor and probably does not occur in
the Philippines.
Tropigonotus aff. dorsalis Giinther.
Miller, III. Nacht. Cat. Herp. Samml. Basel Mus. (1883) 15.
Tropidonotus aff. hypomelas Giinther.
Miller, III. Nacht. Cat. Herp. Samml. Basel Mus. (1883) 15.
Tropidonotus schistosus Daudin.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 432.
This is a synonym of Helicops schistosus Daudin and is confined to India
and Ceylon.
Campylodon prevostianum Duméril and Bibron, Erp. Gen. 7 (1854) 964.
This is Gerardia prevostianum Duméril and Bibron, and is probably
confined to the Indian Ocean.
Gonyosoma frenatum Gray.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 432.
This is Elaphe frenatum Gray, and is confined to India.
Dendrophis punctulata Gray.
This species has been included in several lists on the strength of a
record by Parenti and Picaglia, Atti. Soc. Nat. Modena Mem. Orig. 5
(1886) 50. Very probably this specimen should have been recorded as
Dendrelaphis terrificus Peters, and the record for D. punctulata is un-
doubtedly incorrect.
Leptophis vertebralis Duméril and Bibron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 543.
Iam unable to determine the identity of this species.
Passerita mycterizans Linnzus.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 435.
This does not occur in the Philippines.
CLASSIFICATION 45
Dipsas drapiezi Boie.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 436.
This is Boiga drapiezii Boie, and probably does not occur in the Phil-
ippines.
Dipsas fusca Gray.
Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 436.
This is Boiga fusca Gray, and is confined to Australia.
Lycodon bairdi Steindachner (= Psammodynastes pulverulentus).
Lycodon culcullatum Dumeéril and Bibron, Nomencl. Rept. Amph. Mus. Zool.
Berolin, Berlin (1856) 27.
This is a synonym of Stegonotus culcullatus, apparently confined to
New Guinea and Australia.
Lycodon modestus part., Schlegel (= part. Steyonotus modestus Schlegel;
part. = Stegonotus culcullatus Duméril and Bibron).
Neither of the two species occurs in the Philippines.
Piesigaster boettgeri Seaone (= Epicrates inornatus Reinhardt).
This species was originally described from Panay through a wrongly
labeled specimen. It is confined to the West Indies.
Elaps intestinalis Laurenti (= Doliophis intestinalis).
Reported by De Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 441.
This species probably does not enter the Philippines.
Elaps gracilis Gray (= Callophis gracilis Gray).
This species reported by De Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 441,
appears to be confined ta Malay Peninsula and near-by islands.
Hydrophis nigrocinctus Duméril and Bibron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 18351.
This is Disteira nigrocincta and probably does not occur in the Phil-
ippines.
Trimeresurus hypnale Duméril and Bibron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1498.
This is Agkistrodon hypnale Merrem, confined to Ceylon and India.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE SNAKES
The scheme of classification followed in this work is prac-
tically identical with that used by Stejneger.*
Suborder Serpentes.
Family Typhlopide.
Leptotyphlopide.
Boide.
Subfamily Pythonine.
Boine.
Family Anillidz.
Uropeltidex.
Xenopeltide.
Natricide.
* Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907).
46 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Family Anillide—Continued.
Subfamily Acrochordine.
Natricine.
Homalopsine.
Coronelline.
Rachiodontine.
Boigine.
Elachistodontine.
Langahine.
Family Elapide.
Subfamily Hydrine.
Elapine.
Family Amblycephalide.
Cobride.
Crotalide.
In the nomenclature of the genera and species the oldest valid
name is used in each case, and the variations from the nomen-
clature of former works must be construed as due to no other
reason than necessity.
Suborder SERPENTES Linneeus
Serpentes LINNEvS, Syst. Nat. ed. 10 1 (1758) 214.
This name appears to be the oldest for this group of animals
and is equivalent to the suborder Ophidia of other authors.
Key to the Philippine families of the Serpentes.
a’. No ectopterygoid bone; teeth in upper jaw only.... Typhlopide (p. 47).
a. Ectopterygoid present; teeth in both jaws.
b*. Coronoid present; supratemporal large, suspending quadrate; ves-
tiges of ‘bind, Vimb Sie nce sessed yee tl Bt en ee Boide (p. 67).
6’. Coronoid absent; no vestige of hind limb.
c. A mental groove; maxillary horizontal.
d’. Prefrontal bone touching nasal........20.000000.... Xenopeltide (p. 72).
@, Prefrontal bone not touching nasal.
e’. None of the anterior maxillary teeth grooved or per-
TOKaved 2612s Sie ss volo he een Natricide (p. 76).
e’*. Anterior maxillary teeth grooved or perforated.
Elapide (p. 224).
c’. No mental groove; maxillary horizontal... Amblycephalide (p. 280).
c. A mental groove; maxillary vertically erectile.... Crotalide (p. 283).
NONPOISONOUS SNAKES
TYPHLOPIDA
Typhlopidz, part., JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 9; GUNTHER, Rept.
Brit. India (1864) 170; Cope, Proc. Am. Philos. Soc. 23 (1886)
481; BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 3.
“Cranial bones solidly united; no ectopterygoid; pterygoid not
extending to quadrate or mandible; no supratemporal; pre-
frontal forming a suture with nasal; maxillary loosely attached,
with a few teeth disposed transversely to the axis of the skull;
no teeth on palate. Mandible edentulous; coronoid bone present.
Vestiges of pelvis, reduced to a single bone on each side. Body
covered with uniform cycloid scales; eyes under the shields.”
(Boulenger.)
The family has three genera: Helminthophis with five species,
confined to South and Central America; Typhlophis with one
species, confined to South America; and the very large cosmo-
politan genus Typhlops.
The Typhlopidee are remnants of a large cosmopolitan group
of snakes, and represent probably the oldest living types. They
47
48 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
are for the most part diminutive in size, some species of the
genus Typhlops never attaining a length of more than 200 milli-
meters. They are burrowing reptiles and are to be found about
rotting logs and stumps, and burrowing in the earth or in the
root masses of aérial plants.
They feed on small insects, the larvee and eggs of insects,
earthworms, scorpions, and centipedes. The eye is covered by
a scale and is frequently dim or invisible in certain species; while
in others the eye covering is transparent, and a distinct pupil
is visible.
Genus TYPHLOPS Oppel
Typhlops OPPEL, Ord. Rept. (1811) 54; Gray, Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus.
(1845) 132; JAN, Icon. Gén. (1864) 7; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India
(1864) 172; Perers, Sitz. Ges. Nat. Freunde (1881) 70; BoULENGER,
Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 235; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1,
(1893) 7; Copp, Ann. Rept. Nat. Mus. (1898) 715; STEJNBGER,
Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 260.
Typhlops, part.. SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 2 (1801) 339.
Anilios GRAY, Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus. (1845) 1385.
Onychophis GRAY, Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus. (1845) 32.
Onychocephalus DUMERIL and BiBRON, Erp. Gén. (1844) 272; Boetr-
GER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 104.
Head with enlarged regular plates; nasal shield single, double,
or partially divided; prefrontal single; prefrontal, supraoculars,
frontal, and parietals rather small, sometimes scarcely larger
than body scales; upper labials differentiated, lower labials not
or scarcely differentiated from chin scales; mouth narrow, eye
usually dim; tail very short. Small burrowing snakes, non-
poisonous.
Fic. 1. Head shields of typical Typhlopide, Typhlops suluensis Taylor; e, eye,; f, frontal;
ip, interparietal; ins, internasal suture; lab, labials; n, nasal; nos, nostril; 0, ocular; par,
parietal; pf, prefrontal; po, postocular; preo, preocular; 7, rostral.
TYPHLOPS 49
This genus has more than one hundred fifty known species.
Representatives are found in Asia, Africa, Madagascar, Europe,
Australia, East Indies, Central and South America, and the West
Indies. They appear to be absent from North America and
New Zealand. The East Indies have twenty known species, two
of which, Typhlops braminus Daudin and Typhlops olivaceus
Gray, are reported as occurring in the Philippines. The Philip-
pines have fourteen well-defined species. They belong to two
groups of the genus: one group has the snout rounded in lateral
profile, the tail not longer than broad; and the other has the
snout with a sharp, cutting edge, slightly hooked, and the tail at
least two and one-half times as long as broad.
Key to the Philippine species of Typhlops Oppel.
o*, Snout rounded; nostrils lateral; tail about as long as broad; no
subocular.
b*. Preocular in contact with second and third labials.
c’. Nasal cleft arising from preocular; nasal completely divided;
Scales in, 20) OWS 22 cs cece T. braminus (Daudin) (p. 50).
ce’. Nasal cleft arising from second labial; nasal completely divided;
SCalGS: In 26 LOWS 2o.c.cscsccccscsseezecedsce ... T. luzonensis Taylor (p. 52).
b*. Preocular in contact with third labial only; nasal not completely
divided.
c. Seales in 28 rows; nasals in contact behind rostral; deep black
above, yellowish below.............000..0020.....-. T. jagorii Peters (p. 53).
c’, Seales in 30 rows; nasals not in contact behind rostral; reddish
brown above, yellowish below............ T. ruficauda (Gray) (p. 54).
c’. Seales in 26 rows; nasals not in contact behind rostral; reddish
brown above, lighter below...................- T. ruber Boettger (p. 55).
c’. Seales in 30 rows; nasals not in contact behind rostral; black
above, yellowish below.................-.- T. canlaonensis Taylor (p. 55).
a?. Snout rounded; nostrils lateral; tail as long as broad; a subocular pres-
ent; nasal cleft arising from second labial; nasal not com-
pletely divided; scale rows 28; nasals not in contact behind
POStBAL. s2iccoc cies esses ah re tud, Gaesee ema tnre es T. manile Taylor (p. 56).
a, Snout with a sharp horizontal edge; nostrils lateroinferior; tail at
least twice as long as broad; no subocular.
b'. Preocular in contact with second and third labials; nasals not in
contact behind rostral.
c’. Nasal cleft arising from first labial.
ad’. Nasal not completely divided.
e’. Tail two and one-half times as long as broad; scales in 20 to
22) TO WS: isc ocaeeeee te ive weno ie T. olivaceus (Gray) (p. 58).
e*. Tail three and one-half times as long as broad; scales in 26
TOW. Saceretesirceeecceeer ds che steerer nme ee daa T. rugosa Taylor (p. 58).
d*. Nasal completely divided.
e’. Tail three times as long as broad; scales in 26 to 28
TONS ee ovarcdad oes e te oscacsaenseudetedovs T. dendrophis sp. nov. (p. 60).
161465——4
50 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
e*. Tail two and two-fifths times as long as broad; scales in
DD BROW Glewee ea tenses Cee ah Was T. suluensis Taylor (p. 61).
c’. Nasal cleft arising from first or second labials or their interlabial
suture; nasal completely divided; tail six to seven times as long
as broad; scales in 26 rows..........------ T. longicauda Taylor (p. 63).
b*. Preocular in contact with a single labial.
c’. Nasal cleft arising from first interlabial suture; nasal not com-
pletely divided; tail three and four-fifths times as long as broad;
scales in 26 row5S.......0.....00...--0-0- T. mindanensis sp. nov. (p. 65).
c. Nasal cleft arising from first labial; nasal completely divided;
tail four or five times as long as broad; scales in 24
ROWS os etcece new Soe eS eine Saree ch Rea ceo T. cumingii (Gray) (p. 66).
TYPHLOPS BRAMINUS (Daudin)
Eryx braminus DAUDIN, Hist. Nat. Rept. 7 (1803) 279.
Tortrix russelii MERREM, Tent. Syst. Amph. (1820) 84.
Typhlops braminus CuvieR, Régne Anim. ed. 2 (1829) 73; Bovu-
LENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 16; Fauna Brit. India, Rept.
(1890) 236; Borttcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 104; GRIFFIN,
Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 254; CAsTo DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna
Filipinas 1 (1895) 423; STEJNEGER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58
(1907) 260; Tay tor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917) 354.
Argyrophis bramicus GRAY, Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus. (1845) 138.
Argyrophis truncatus GRAY, Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus. (1845) 138.
<]
‘SJ
ws
SSP
b
KS<
KS
<S
a
paaas
o>
Fic. 2. Typhlops braminus (Daudin) ; after Stejneger; a, head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral
view; c, head, ventral view; d, anal region and tail.
Description of species.—(From No. 276, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at La Granja, La Carlota, Occidental Negros,
July, 1916, by H. C. McNamara.) Snout rounded in lateral
profile, projecting; rostral narrow, its upper portion about one-
third width of head, not extending quite to level of eyes; pre-
frontal not enlarged, very much rounded behind, separating the
nasals by a small distance, scarcely as large as frontal, but of
similar shape; frontal a little larger than interparietal, which
is followed by a very much larger scale; supraoculars not an-
gular, larger than frontal, their lower edge passing near middle
of eye; parietals slightly enlarged, larger than supraoculars,
followed by a large postparietal; 2 nasals, anterior (or inferior)
much smaller than posterior; suture dividing nasals arises from
TYPHLOPS 51
preocular ; latter somewhat smaller than ocular, touching second
and third labials, and inferior nasal below; ocular large, with
eye usually visible beneath it, with a single postocular behind;
4 labials, the fourth largest, all abruptly increasing in size from
the first; 5 to 7 scales on lower jaw between angles of mouth;
scales in 20 rows around body; body width in body length, 34;
tail a little shorter than wide.
Color in life-—Pearl gray above, each scale showing an area
of brownish gray and one of bluish gray; below the same; with-
out close scrutiny it appears a uniform pearl gray.
Measurements of Typhlops braminus (Daudin).
mm.
Total length 154
Tail 2:15
Width of head between eyes 3.25
Body width 4.5
Tail width 4
Variation.—Practically no variation in scalation is observable.
In color the specimens vary from black-brown to gray-blue or
pearl gray. Some seem to turn whitish before they shed their
skin, yet certain newly shed specimens also are of a very light
color; in the one described the eye is almost entirely concealed,
and the scales on the head and body seem thicker than usual.
There are certain lighter tracings which invariably appear under
the scales of the head. The fringed markings which follow the
rostral and nasal sutures are characteristic of this species; these
markings can usually be discerned even in gray specimens, if
a small lens is used.
One specimen in my collection (No. 277) has a very different
appearance from the one described. The head as far as the eyes
is a pure cream color; the eyes are visible as minute black dots;
the head seems more rounding in upper profile and is thicker
than in other specimens. The color on the neck is light brown,
gradually merging into the slightly darker brown color of the
body. Each scale has a brown spot and a lighter area. No
variation from the typical scalation of Typhlops braminus can
be discerned. This variation is unique in a lot of more than 200
specimens examined.
Remarks.—This is one of the commonest snakes in the Phil-
ippine Islands, but it is not evenly distributed. Mr. H. C. Mc-
Namara collected more than a hundred at La Granja, La Carlota,
Occidental Negros, in a few weeks; at various other localities
in Negros I have been unable to find a single specimen, even
52 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
after considerable search. I did not find a single specimen in
eastern Mindanao in two years’ collecting. In Mindoro, near
Calapan, I found this species in large numbers under rocks after
heavy rains. The place failed to yield a single specimen when
visited at a later time when the earth was dry. These snakes lay
comparatively large, elongate eggs. They feed largely on the
larvee and eggs of small insects or earthworms.
The species is known from many localities in Luzon, and from
Negros, Samar, Mindanao, Mindoro, Palawan, and Busuanga.
It is probably found in all the larger islands of the Philippines.
Outside of the Philippines it is widely distributed, from South
Africa to southern Asia, and throughout the islands of the
Indian Ocean and the Malay Archipelago. It is present also
in Japan, Madagascar, and Guam.
TYPHLOPS LUZONENSIS Taylor
Typhlops luzonensis TAYLor, Philip. Journ. Sci. 14 (1919) 105.
Description of species.— (From the type, No. 109, E. H. Taylor
collection ; collected on Mount Maquiling, Laguna, Luzon, May 12,
1915, by E. H. Taylor.) Head rather flat, broader than neck,
lower jaw not or scarcely visible in lateral profile; snout rounded,
projecting, rather truncate, its end only slightly less deep than
head on a level with eyes; portion of rostral visible above much
longer and a little wider than the part below, failing to reach
the level of eyes by a minute distance, and minutely less than
half the width of head; prefrontal larger than frontal, forming
a suture with rostral a little less than one-third its own width,
its longest sutures formed with supraoculars; frontal, the
smallest head scale, forming equal sutures with interparietal
and prefrontal; supraocular about same size as parietal, its
lower point barely reaching eye; parietals somewhat narrowed
on their lower end; nasal completely divided; nasal suture arises
from second labial and after passing nostril reaches rostral in a
line horizontal to upper edge of nostril; nasals not in contact
behind rostral; preocular reaching above level of eyes, about
as broad as ocular, in contact with 2 labials below; its edge
crosses over middle of eye; 2 postoculars only slightly differen-
tiated from body scales; first labial very small, in contact with
anterior nasal only; second labial nearly three times as large as
first, touching both nasals and preocular; third labial more than
twice as large as second, and a little larger than fourth; lower
jaw narrow, about 5 scales on lower jaw between fourth upper
labials; eye a visible black spot, very small, with no pupil
evident; about 338 scales from head to vent; 10 subcaudal scales;
TYPHLOPS 53
tail ending in a small spine; width of body in total length, 58;
tail as wide as long; scales in 20 rows.
Color in life.-—Above, a reddish olive brown; below, yellowish
brown, each scale with a darker yellowish brown area, giving a
checked appearance on close examination; rostral, nasal, and
labials on underside of snout yellowish white.
Measurements of Typhlops luzonensis Taylor.
Total length 260
Tail 4
Width of body 4.5
Width of head 4.5
Width of tail ert
Remarks.—Only the type specimen is known. The species is
obviously related to the group of the genus represented by
Typhleps ruficauda, T. ruber, and T. kraaliz, the first two of
which are represented in the Philippine fauna. From T. rwfi-
cauda it differs in having 4 less rows of scales about the body
and the nasal completely, instead of partially, divided. From
T. ruber it differs in having the preocular in contact with 2
labials instead of 1, the nasal completely divided, and the length
greater in proportion to the width of the body. (Here the width
of the body is contained in the total length 58 times, while
in T. ruber it is only 36.) From T. kraali it differs in having
the rostral much more than one-third the width of the head,
and the preocular in contact with 2 labials instead of 1; in color
it is also somewhat different from T. kraalii, and the latter is very
probably a larger species.
The type was collected low on the side of Mount Maquiling,
Laguna, Luzon. It was discovered under a rotting log. Noth-
ing further is known of its habits.
TYPHLOPS JAGORII Peters
Typhlops jagorti PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 684; BorTrTcER, Ber.
Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 104; BouLENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus.
1 (1893) 18; CasTo DE Evera,'Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 423;
GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 254.
Description of species.—(After the type description.) Snout
depressed, rounded; nostrils lateral; upper portion of rostral
elliptic, about half as broad as head; nasals in contact behind
rostral; preocular present, in contact with third labial only;
prefrontal larger than frontal; supraoculars smaller than pa-
rietal; 4 upper labials, second twice as large as first; 28 rows
of scales around the body.
Colov.—Above dark black, the underside, lips, and end of tail
yellow.
54 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Measurements of Typhlops jagorii Peters.
mm.
Total length 220
Head length 8
Tail 5
Remarks.—The type was collected by F. Jagor on Mount
Isarog, Camarines, Luzon. It is well differentiated from the
other Philippine species by the junction of the nasal shields
behind the rostral. It is known only from the type.
TYPHLOPS RUFICAUDA (Gray)
Anilios ruficauda GRAY, Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus. (1845) 136.
Typhlops (Anilios) ruficauda PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 684.
Typhlops ruficauda BortTcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 104; Bou-
LENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (18938) 29; CAsTO DE ELERA, Cat.
Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 423; Grirrin, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D
6 (1911) 255.
Typhlops dichromatus JAN, Icon. Gén. (1864) 21, 1. 3, pls. 4, 5, fig. 1.
?Typhlops petersii STEINDACHNER, Verh. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wien (1867)
515, pl. 13, figs. 7-9.
Description of species.—(From Boulenger.) ‘“Snout rounded,
moderately projecting; nostrils lateral. Rostral about one third
the width of the head, extending to the level of the eyes; nasal
semidivided, the cleft proceeding from the second labial; pre-
ocular present, as broad as the ocular, in contact with the third
labial only; eyes distinct; preefrontal, supraocular, and parietal
considerably larger than the scales on the body; four upper
labials. Diameter of body 31 to 55 times in the total length;
tail as long as broad, ending in a spine. 30 scales round the
body.”
Color.—‘Reddish brown above; snout, tail, and lower sur-
faces yellowish.
“Total length 250 millim.”’
Remarks.—The types (one adult, one half-grown, and one
young) are in the British Museum. The exact locality from
which the types were obtained is no longer known. Peters *
reports specimens from Daraga and Paracale, in southern Luzon.
Boulenger + has referred Typhlops petersii Steindachner to this
species, with a question mark. At the present time I am unable
to offer an opinion and propose leaving it a synonym of T.
ruficauda. Ihave not seen Steindachner’s description or figures.
Known only from the Philippines. The types were probably col-
lected by H. Cuming.
* Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 684.
{ Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 29.
TYPHLOPS 55
TYPHLOPS RUBER Boettger
Typhlops ruber BoETTGER, Zool. Anz. 20 (1897) 164; GRIFFIN, Philip.
Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 255.
Description of species.—(After the type description.) Head
depressed, snout rounded and strongly projecting; nostrils
lateral; rostral moderately broad, upper part somewhat more
than one-third the width of head, its posterior part not reaching
level of eyes, its underside clearly longer than broad; nasal
almost entirely divided, the suture arising from second labial;
preocular as broad as ocular, in contact below with only the
very large third labial; eye small, very distinct; upper head
shields, with the exception of the middle longitudinal row, con-
siderably larger than body scales; 4 upper labials, of which the
last 2 are especially well developed and of nearly the same size:
diameter of body in total length, 36 to 37; tail somewhat broader
than long, ending in a sharp spine; 26 scale rows about body.
Color.—Uniform, bright red-brown above; below scarcely as
bright as above.
Total length, 225 millimeters.
. Remarks.—I have been unable to find specimens of this species.
Obviously it is very rare and, I believe, still known only from
the type, which came from Samar. This species is said to be
closely related to Typhlops kraalit from the Kei Islands near
New Guinea, but differs in being less slender, and in having
the tail shorter, the scales on the head larger, and the color
different.
TYPHLOPS CANLAONENSIS Taylor
Typhlops canlaonensis TAYLOR, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 11 (1917) 354.
Description of species —(From No. 241, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at an elevation of about 750 meters on Canlaon
Volcano, Negros, December 25, 1915, by E. H. Taylor.)
Head depressed, a little wider than body; snout projecting mod-
erately; rostral elliptic, distinctly wider behind than at tip of
snout and failing to reach level of eyes by half the width
of prefrontal, more than one-third the width of head; nostrils
lateral, not visible from above; nasals large, not in contact be-
hind rostral, not completely divided by nasal cleft, which arises
from second labial and passes through nostril to a point about
halfway from nostril to rostral; nasal in contact with first 3
labials; preocular present, narrowed to a point at its upper end,
its greatest width, equal to that of ocular, occurs below level of
eye; preocular narrowly in contact with supraocular above and
56 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
with only the third labial below practically the same length as
ocular; ocular somewhat rectangular in outline, rapidly nar-
rowed to a point above and below, in contact with third and
fourth labials, bordered posteriorly by 2 somewhat enlarged
body scales (3 on left side) ; prefrontal wider than deep, dis-
tinctly larger than frontal, which is somewhat wider than long,
and narrowly in contact with prefrontal; supraoculars larger
than either of these scales and about equal in size to parietals,
which are a little more elongate and more than half lying behind
oculars; interparietal scale not as large as frontal; eye visible
near anterior border of ocular, much below the point of contact
with supraocular; eye rather large, pupil distinct and whitish;
30 scale rows about body; tail ending in a sharp spine.
Color wm life-—Above shiny greenish black (appearing dark
green in certain lights) ; snout dark brown; underside of snout,
belly, and entire tail pinkish yellow. The dark and the yellow
areas are well defined, the black covering 15 scale rows. Head
with narrow lighter lines, more or less outlining the head scales.
Measurements of the type of Typhlops canlaonensis Taylor.
mm.
Total length 122
* Tail 2.5
Width of head 4.2
Width of body 3.5
Width of tail 3
Remarks.—This species is related to Typhlops ruficauda Gray.
It differs much in color, the rostral is wider and does not reach
the level of the eye, and the tail is wider than long. In coloring
it resembles T. jagorit Peters, from Luzon, but the nasals are
not completely divided and do not touch behind the rostral; the
second labial ig far from twice as large as the first. It is im-
possible to tell whether the specimen at hand is adult or not.
However, it is probable that it is a smaller form than the other
two species mentioned above. Only one specimen was found,
although the locality wags very thoroughly searched. It was
found burrowing under a decayed log.
TYPHLOPS MANILZ Taylor
Typhlops manile TAyLor, Philip. Journ. Sci. 14 (1919) 106.
Description of species.— (From the type, an unnumbered spec-
imen in Santo Tomas Museum, labeled “Filipinas ;” locality and
collector unknown; probably from Luzon.) Snout rounded in
front, projecting about 2 millimeters; a distinct depression across
head in region of eyes; rostral narrowed at a point on snout
TYPHLOPS 57
between nostrils, distinctly longer than wide below; rostral little
more than one-third the width of head; nasals not in contact
behind rostral; rostral reaching level of eyes; prefrontal rather
large, narrowly in contact with frontal; supraoculars large,
their lower end not reaching eye; frontal slightly smaller than
prefrontal, about the same shape; parietals rounding, a little
broader than deep, smaller than supraocular; interparietal en-
larged; nasal not completely divided; suture issues from second
labial, then makes a backward deflection which widens the an-
terior part of nasal; preocular narrowed at upper end, reaching
above level of eye but scarcely reaching below level of nostril,
abruptly widened below eye, its posterior suture with ocular not
crossing eye; nasal much wider than either preocular or ocular;
a small subocular scale below ocular in contact with second and
third labials; preocular touches second labial behind this inter-
calated scale; ocular widens abruptly on a level with eye, and
extends higher than preocular; first labial elongate, second
higher and shorter, of nearly the same area, third very large,
three or four times as large as second, reaching to near the top
level of nostril, larger and higher than fourth labial (third la-
bial on one side is fused with subocular) ; 3 scales border ocular
behind; eyes very small but distinct; nostril comparatively large ;
lower jaw very narrow, in its middle scarcely two-fifths the
width of head. Tail ends in a blunt spine; 12 scales under tail
in a longitudinal line; scales in 28 rows about body.
Color in life-—Reddish brown above, the anterior part rather
more grayish brown; the posterior two-thirds of body darker
brown; head distinctly marked with darker and lighter (usually)
curved areas; snout yellowish; below light yellowish, each scale
with a slightly darker area.
Measurements of Typhlops manile Taylor.
mm.
Total length 280
Tail 5
Width of tail 5.2
Width of body 5
Width of head 5.5
Remarks.—This unique specimen was found in the collection
of the Santo Tomas University, Manila. The container was
labeled “Filipinas” with no indication as to the locality from
which it came. This species as characterized by the presence of
a subocular has no close affinity among other species of the genus
in the Philippines. It belongs to the division of the genus of
which Typhlops ater and T. inornatus are members, but differs
58 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
from them in the very much larger number of scale rows, as
well as in other characters.
TYPHLORS OLIVACEUS (Gray)
Onychophis olivaceus GRay, Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus. (1845) 133.
Onychocephalus olivaceus PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 684;
Borerrcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 105; CASTO DE ELERA, Cat.
Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 424.
Typhlops olivaceus BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 50;
GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 255.
Description of species —(From Boulenger.) ‘“Snout very
prominent, with a narrow, sharp, suberescentic transverse edge °
and inferior nostrils. Rostral large, its upper part longer than
broad and about three-fifths the width of the head, not extending
to the level of the eyes, its lower part as broad as long; nasal
nearly completely divided, the cleft proceeding from the first
labial; preeocular present, nearly as broad as the nasal or the
ocular, in contact with the second and third labials; eyes distinct;
prefrontal considerably enlarged; four upper labials. Diameter
of body 50 to 68 times in the total length; tail twice and a half
as long as broad, ending in a spine; 20 or 22 scales round the
body. Pale brown, lighter inferiorly. :
“Total length 410 millim.
“Philippines, Moluccas, North-west Australia.”
Remarks.—Boulenger * records four specimens. One speci-
men, the type, is from the Philippines. Peters + gives two local-
ities on Samar, Loquilocun and Borongan. Here, he states, it is
called tuna. The types were collected by H. Cuming. I have
been unable to find this species, and there is no specimen in the
Bureau of Science collection. Boulenger gives Typhlops (Ony-
chocephalus) angusticeps Peters as a synonym of this species.
An examination of Peters’s figures ~ leads me to regard this as
anerror. The presence of a subocular, as well as of other char-
acters, would seem to prohibit this association.
(
TYPHLOPS RUGOSA Taylor
Typhlops rugosa TAYLOR, Philip. Journ. Sci. 14 (1919) 109.
Description of species.—(From the type, No. 97, E. H. Taylor
collection; collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao, July 14,
1913, by E. H. Taylor.) Head rough, the anterior outline
* Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (18938) 51.
+ Peters, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 684.
+t Mon. Berl. Ak. (1877) 417, pl. figs. 3, 3a, 3b, 3c.
TYPHLOPS 59
broken by depressions between scales along sutures, with trans-
verse cutting edge, somewhat hooked in lateral profile; rostral
a little longer than wide above, not reaching level of eyes, more
than one-third the width of head; part of rostral below as deep
as wide, dimly granular; prefrontal a little wider and somewhat
smaller than frontal, its posterior point reaching a little beyond
level of eyes; frontal as broad as long, larger than interparietal;
supraocular larger than frontal, wider than deep; parietals much
larger than frontal, separated by an interparietal, which is
smaller than frontal; parietals not twice as wide as long; nasal
with a swollen prominence about and above nostril, which gives
the anterior head outline an irregular appearance; nostrils latero-
inferior, not visible from above; nasal cleft issues from first
labial and barely passes beyond nostril, not wholly dividing the
scale; preocular not as wide as and much shorter than nasal, in
contact with 2 labials; eyes dim, barely outlined; 2 postoculars,
inferior largest, in contact with fourth labial; 4 upper labials,
fourth largest, first and second smallest, subequal in size; scales
in 26 rows; tail ending in a sharp spine; 479 scales in a longi-
tudinal row from head to tail; body width in total length, 50;
tail width in tail length, 3.5; tail length in body length, about 17.
Color im life——Above brownish to golden yellow, slightly
lighter beneath. There is very little distinction between the two
colors, as they merge gradually on the sides. Each scale with
a somewhat darker area.
Measurements of Typhlops rugosa Taylor.
mm.
Total length » 895
Tail 23
Width of head 135
Width of body 8
Width of tail 6.5
Remarks.—Two other specimens besides the type were taken,
one adult, and one young. These two were forwarded to Dr.
Lawrence E. Griffin, at the University of Pittsburg. They have
not been at hand for comparison. All were taken in masses
of fern roots growing in high forest trees. Typhlops rugosa has
no close affinity among the Philippine species, unless it be with
T. mindanensis Taylor. From the latter it differs in the size
of the frontal, which is larger than the prefrontal in T. min-
danensts. The former has 2, the latter 3, labials touching the
nasal; in the former the head is very rough, in the latter, com-
paratively smooth. Many other differences are obvious on a
60 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
comparison of the two descriptions. The roughness of the head
in T. rugosa is not unlike that in T. crossii and T. regine but here
the resemblance between them ceases.
TYPHLOPS DENDROPHIS sp. nov.
Type.—No. 93, E. H. Taylor collection; collected at Bunawan,
Agusan, Mindanao, August 15, 1918, by E. H. Taylor.
Description of type-——Head flattened above, elliptic in out-
line, broader than neck; snout in lateral profile rather wedge-
shaped, with a narrow, sharp, subcrescentic, transverse edge,
with nostrils inferior; rostral about as broad below ag above, a
little more than one-third width of head, reaching level of eyes;
prefrontal angular, forming a suture with rostral about one-third
its width, a little larger than frontal but of the same shape, much
wider than deep; frontal wider than deep, forming equal sutures
with prefrontal and interparietal; latter a little wider than
frontal and followed by 2 or 3 enlarged scales (the latter char-
acter is not constant); supraocular wider than deep, its lower
point failing to reach eye; parietals much elongate, twice as long
as wide, reaching to near level of eye; nostril between 2 nasals,
anterior very small and narrow, the suture dividing them arising
from first labial; edge of rostral approaches close to nostril;
preocular present, not as wide or as deep as ocular, not touching
eye, in contact with 2 labials below; 3 scales behind ocular; latter
large, with a slight rounded prominence above eye; first labial
as large as or larger than second, fourth larger than third;
tail ending in a sharp spine; 26 rows of scales about body, 497
in a longitudinal row from back of head to end of tail, 29 scales
under tail from anus to tip. Body width in body length, 49.7;
tail width in tail length, 3.1.
Color in life——Above olive to brownish yellow, grading in-
sensibly into the lighter color on belly. Each scale with a lighter
and darker part; snout somewhat lighter.
Measurements of Typhlops dendrophis sp. nov,
: mm.
Total length 398
Tail 21.
Width of body 8
Width of tail : 6.75
Variation.—There are three specimens of this species in my
collection, and one mutilated specimen in the Bureau of Science
collection, all collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao. They
agree fairly well in measurements and proportions. The body
TYPHLOPS 61
width in the body length varies from 46 to 49; tail width in
tail length, 3.1. All the specimens save the type have 28 scale
rows around the body. The relation of the nasal cleft and the
preocular to the labials is identical in all the specimens; ones
are also identical in color.
TABLE 7.—Measurements and scale counts of Typhlops dendrophis sp. nov.
| [ae fs (ee lee |e.
i. 4 al = = 8a] 7m
No. cl is | =e | 23 Poe a be Collection.
Sipe | oS ee ae | RS elas
H/|/ a) aie |F |e a a
mim. mm. | mm. | mm. |
93 | 3898 21 | 26 | 8 6.75 49.7 8.11 | 29] E. H. Taylor.
94] 334 IT 28 | 7.25 | 5.50 46.0 3.09 28 Do.
95 | 3892 20 28/8 6. 50 49 3.07 28 Do.
M745)\ ---5~2 ae 28 | 6 BG) Son an oal weet 29 | Bureau of Science.
Remarks.—This species is related to Typhlops olivaceus
(Gray), but differs in having the rostral reach the level of the
eye, and the nasal completely divided. The diameter of the
body is forty-six to forty-nine times in its total length. The
tail is more than three times as long as wide, with 4 to 6 more
rows of scales around the body than in T. olivaceus. From
T. cumingti it differs in having the preocular in contact with
2 labials instead of 1, the tail much shorter, the rostral reach-
ing the level of the eyes, and in having more rows of scales about
the body. It is a larger, less-slender species than T. cumingit.
All four specimens were taken from the root masses of the
aérial fern Aspleniwm nidus, obtained when the high forest
trees were felled. The snakes burrow in the tough root masses
and feed on the larve of ants and centipedes which are abun-
dant in the fern roots.
TYPHLOPS SULUENSIS Taylor
Typhlops suluensis TAYLOR, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 13 (1918) 257.
Description of species —(From the type, No. 2001, Bureau of
Science collection; collected on Bubuan Island, Tapian group,
Sulu Archipelago, October 2, 1917, by E. H. Taylor.) Snout
rather pointed, with a moderately sharp edge; rostral nearly
half the width of head, rather truncate behind, forming a broad,
straight suture with prefrontal; latter very large, broadly trian-
gular in shape, its longest sutures with preoculars; frontal very
small, bordered by 6 scales, about one-fifth the size of prefrontal;
interparietal as wide as prefrontal, but somewhat smaller ; supra-
62 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
oculars slender, about two and a half times as long as broad;
parietals much larger than supraoculars, little more than twice
as long as wide; nasals separated, their upper ends barely ex-
tending beyond the posterior level of rostral, which reaches
almost to the anterior level of eyes; nasal completely divided by
nasal cleft, which arises from first labial; preocular in contact
with 2 labials, not as wide as ocular, its upper end scarcely
reaching higher than the upper level of eye; eye distinct, with
a minute pupil visible, not crossed by suture of ocular with pre-
ocular; 2 body scales border ocular behind; 4 lower labials,
second scarcely larger than first; scales in 22 rows around middle
of body, 20 on neck, 22 in front of anus, tail ending in a sharp
Fic. 38. Tuphlops suluensis Taylor; from the type; a, head, lateral view: b, head, dorsal
view se, chime 3< 3:
spine; body width in body length, 46; tail width in tail length,
2.5; tail length in body length, 26.
Color in ife——Above dark drab-gray, covering nine whole and
two half rows of scales, each scale with a slightly curved lighter
area, which forms a fine-meshed network over body; balance of
body very light gray, the ventral median row of scales differen-
tiated by being much lighter in color, with the outer edges and
the edges of adjacent scale rows slightly darker: occasionally an
entire scale is white in the median ventral row; tip of tail and
anal region whitish; underside of head rather light dirty white;
head with lighter curved lines, arranged regularly but not follow-
ing the outlines of the head scales.
TYPHLOPS 63
Measurements of Typhlops suluensis Taylor.
mm.
Total length 340
Tail 13
Width of tail 5.0.
Width of body 7.4
Width of head 5.5
Remarks.—The type was found in a rotten log only about 4
meters from high-tide mark on the beach. Much effort was
made to obtain other specimens on Bubuan Island, but none
was found. This species seems to be most closely related to
Typhlops multilineatus and T. olivaceus. From T. muiltilineatus
it differs in having the rostral shorter, the nasal completely di-
vided, the diameter of the body contained in the total length forty
times (in T. multilineatus fifty to sixty times), and 22 instead of
20 scale rows around the middle of the body. The prefrontal
is larger, the frontal smaller, and the markings are not arranged
in longitudinal lines. From 7. olivaceus it differs in having a
complete division of the nasal, the preocular much narrower
than the ocular, and the rostral barely half the width of the
head. The color is also different from T. olivaceus.
TYPHLOPS LONGICAUDA Taylor
PLATE 1
Typhlops longicauda TAytLor, Philip. Journ. Sci. 14 (1919) 108.
Description of species.— (From the type, No. R 99, E. H. Taylor
collection; collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao, July 15,
1913, by E. H. Taylor.) Head rather broader than neck, rather
rounding in outline; snout with a sharp horizontal cutting edge,
moderately projecting, not or but scarcely hooked in profile;
rostral not as wide below as above, somewhat narrowed between
nostrils, failing to reach level of eye by more than half the
depth of prefrontal; latter wider than deep, larger than frontal,
the suture formed with it larger than that with rostral which
is only about one-fifth its width; frontal about as wide as deep,
equal to parietals; parietals each divided into 2 scales, which are
about the size of the body scales and scarcely differentiated from
them, the second one, lying somewhat behind ocular, largest;
interparietal somewhat larger than frontal; supraocular diag-
onal, the lower point reaching anterior level of eye but failing
to reach horizontal level by its distance from nasal; 2 nasals,
the anterior very small; the suture dividing them arises from
64 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
first interlabial suture; preocular narrower and much shorter
than ocular, in contact with 2 labials below; ocular large, with
a slight, rounded prominence over eye; eye and pupil distinct;
4 postoculars between parietal and fourth labial; 4 labials, first
and second smallest, subequal in size, third more than twice as
large as second and about half the size of fourth; scales in
26 rows; about 430 scales in a longitudinal line to above vent;
40 scales in a row on underside of tail; body width in body
length, 56.6; tail width in tail length, 7.2.
Color in life—Above light yellowish brown, gradually becom-
ing lighter below; head lighter with curving lighter marks;
laterally there is a distinct, more or less rectangular, lighter
spot, including eye and reaching mouth. Each ventral scale
has a regular darker brown area.
Measurements of Typhlops longicauda Taylor.
mm.
Total length 340
Tail 34.5
Width of head 5.5
Width of body 6
Width of tail 4.75
Variation.—Ten other specimens of this species are in my
collection; all differ from the type in having a single parietal.
This character in the type may be anomalous. The origin of
the nasal suture is not fixed, usually arising near the first inter-
labial suture, sometimes from first labial, sometimes from sec-
ond. The body width in the body length varies from 45 to 68,
the average being about 52; the tail is from six to seven times
longer than broad, the average being about 6.2. They vary in
shade from yellowish to golden brown above, somewhat lighter
below.
Remarks.—This species has a very marked, apparently normal
enlargement of the pelvic bones, and the tail is comparatively
Jonger than in any other of the extremely numerous species of
this genus. The specimens were obtained for the most part
from root masses of the large aérial fern Aspleniwm nidus.
They were common at Bunawan, Agusan. Two were taken from
the trunks of small trees which were tunneled by large black
ants. The species feeds on the larve of ants and centipedes.
It is known only from the type locality. It appears to be related
to Typhlops cumingti Gray but differs from it in having a longer
tail, in the larger number of scale rows, and in having the pre-
ocular in contact with 2 labials instead of 1.
TYPHLOPS 65
TABLE 8.—Measurements and scale counts of. Typhlops longicauda Taylor.
|
| | pail
No. Length. | Tail. ae aoe ae | ae
| | Jength. | iength.
| mm, mm. | mm, mm,
348 31 | 6 4.9 58 | 6.1
@ | 6 | 5.5 Homes N Weng
| 180 16 4 2.7 45 | 6
| 314 | 27.5 6 | 4.5 52 | 6.1
| i aml BIS ee teeke Bre Atte oaceae \ 6.2
286 | 23 5 37 | or | 62
210; 18 | 4 8.2 2: | se
235 22. |} 5 3.6 a7 6.1
285 26 6 4.2 48 | 6.2
316 30.5 6 5 53 Cid 6.1
340 34.5 6 4.15 66.6 | q32) |
== aa ||
| : | Preocu- |
No. ee Be) eatin
labial.
| j— Cra ee RS
TOGe cas Sia Ae 5.2 ey oe nee | Yes _._. 2d labial_____ 26 | Yes _...| E. H. Taylor.
| | 26 | Yes __.. Do.
26 | Yes ___. Do.
26 | Yes __.. Do.
26 ese CA ales Do.
26 | Yes _... Do |
26 | Yes ___- Do. |
26 | Yes ____ Do t
26 | Yes _ <i Do.
26") Yes). Do
26 | Yes _ Do
ae = (AE SE ll Ny See ee eee PA ell eee oes SRA aren ot
a Mutilated. » Tail only. © Type.
TYPHLOPS MINDANENSIS sp. nov.
Type.—No. 96, E. H. Taylor collection; collected at Bunawan,
Agusan, Mindanao, August 12, 19138, by E. H. Taylor.
Description of type-—Head somewhat wedge-shaped, slightly
rounding to the rather sharp horizontal edge; below sloping
abruptly to mouth. The anterior edge of snout rounding and
not broken in outline; rostral above moderate, about as wide
as long, about one-third the width of head between eyes, not
reaching to level of eyes; below, the enlarged part of rostral
wider than deep; prefrontal much enlarged, much wider than
deep, separating nasals by a distance equal to more than a fourth
of its width, deeper and more than one and a half times as
large as frontal, larger than interparietal or supraocular, and
separated from preocular by a distance less than that between
161465——5
66 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
nagals; the frontal, the smallest head scale, about as wide as
deep or a little wider, separated from ocular by a distance less
than that between prefrontal and preocular; supraocular forms
its shortest suture with parietal, its longest with ocular, and
is narrowly distant from edge of eye; parietals enlarged, their
anterior part widest, about two and a half to three times as
long as wide; interparietal larger than frontal, much wider than
deep, followed by a scale twice as wide as deep; 2 scales border
parietals behind, slightly larger than the following body scales;
nasal not completely divided by nasal cleft, which issues from a
point above first interlabial suture; a small pitlike depression
below each nostril; 3 labials in contact with nasal below; nasal
narrows above, the end curving to a point; preocular present,
very much narrower and much shorter than either nasal or
ocular, its edge reaching edge of eye, in contact with a single
labial below, narrowing to a point above; ocular large, touching
2 labials below; eye distinct, with pupil showing; 3 slightly
enlarged postoculars; 4 upper labials; chin covered with slightly
enlarged scales, about 8 or 9 between angles of mouth; 27 scale
rows about neck, 26 about anterior part of body, 24 in front
of anus; anterior part of median ventral scale row has more
or less enlarged scales; 35 scales in a longitudinal row from anus
to tip of tail; body width in total length, 53; tail width in tail
length, 3.8; tail length in body length, 17.
Color in life.-—Above grayish to brownish yellow, this color
covering upper 13 scale rows, each scale with a large, dimly
defined, lighter area on its tip; below lighter brownish yellow;
to the eye the color appears nearly uniform; the area about and
below the nostril and upper labials lighter than rest of head.
Measurements of Typhlops mindanensis Sp. Nov.
mm.
Total length, body severed 318
Tail 18
Width of body 6
Width of tail 4.66
Remarks.—Only the type was taken. Apparently it has no
close affinity among the other Philippine species. (See remarks
under 7. rugosa.)
TYPHLOPS CUMINGII (Gray)
Onychophis cumingii Gray, Cat.’ Liz. Brit. Mus. (1845) 133.
Onychocephalus cumingii Borrrarr, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 104.
Typhlops cumingii BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 51
pl. 3, fig. 4; Grirrin, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 255.
TYPHLOPS 67
Description of species—(From Boulenger.) ‘“Snout very
prominent, with a narrow, subcrescentic sharp transverse edge
and inferior nostrils. Rostra] large, its upper part longer than
broad and about half the width
of the head, not extending to
the level of the eyes, its lower
part as broad as long; nasal
completely divided, the cleft
proceeding from the second la-
bial; preeocular present, narrow-
er than the nasal or the ocular,
in contact with the third labial
only; preefrontal not enlarged,
parietals broad; eyes distinct;
four upper labials. Diameter of Fig. 4. Typhlops cumingii (Gray) ; after
body 48 to 52 times in the total Boulenger ; a, head, dorsal view; b, head
length; tail four or five times as lateral view ; c, head, ventral view.
long as broad, ending in a spine. Twenty-four scales round
the body. Olive-brown above, yellowish inferiorly.
“Total length 365 millim.”
Remarks.—I have been unable to find this species. The newly
described Typhlops longicauda is related to but apparently dis-
tinct from it.
BOIDA
Boidx, part, GRAY, Zool. Misc. (1842) 41; Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 82.
Boidz BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 71.
“Maxillary, palatine, and pterygoid movable; transpalatine
present; pterygoid extending to quadrate or mandible; supratem-
poral present, attached scaie-like to cranium, suspending quad-
rate; prefrontal in contact with nasal. Mandible with coronoid
bone. Teeth in both jaws. Vestiges of pelvis and hind limbs,
usually terminating in a claw-like spur visible on each side of
the vent.” (Boulenger.)
This family is divided into two subfamilies, the Pythoninz
and Boine; the snakes of the former are characterized by the pres-
ence of a supraorbtta! bone, those of the latter by the absence
of a supraorbital bone and of premaxillary teeth. The Pytho-
nine are confined largely to the Old World. A single genus
is found in Mexico. The Boing, on the other hand, are dis-
tributed over both hemispheres, the larger number of genera
occurring in the Western Hemisphere. The genera Corallus
and Boa are found in both America and Madagascar; Casarea
68 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
and Bolieria are known only from a small island in the Indian
Ocean. Enygrus, which is distributed over Polynesia and Papu-
asia, approaches our territory in Celebes and the Moluccas.
PYTHONINA
Supraorbital bone present.
Nardoa, Liasis, Chondropython, and Python occur in the East
Indian and Australian regions, but only the last is known to enter
the Philippines.
Genus PYTHON Daudin
Python DAUuDIN, Hist. Rept. 5 (1803) 226; Wacter, Syst. Amph.
(1830) 168; ScHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 402; DUMERIL and
Brpron, Erp. Gén. 6 (1844) 392; Gray, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849)
87; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 329; JAN, Icon. Gén. Ophid.
(1864) 95; BorTtTceEr, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 115; BOULENGER,
Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 245; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1
(1898) 81; Casto DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 439;
GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 255.
Constrictor WAGLER, Syst. Amph. (1830) 168.
Morelia GRAY, Zool. Misc. (1842) 48; DUMERIL and BrBROoN, Erp.
Gen. 6 (1844) 388. A
Aspidoboa SAUVAGE, Bull. Soc. Philom. VII 8 (1884) 148.
Hypaspistes OGILBY, Rec. Aust. Mus. 1 (1891) 198.
“Premaxillary bone toothed. Anterior maxillary and man-
dibular teeth very long, gradually decreasing in size. Head
distinct from neck; end of snout covered with shields, upper
surface of head with symmetrical shields or small scales; nostril
directed upwards or supero-lateral, in a large semidivided nasal,
which is separated from its fellow by a pair of internasals;
rostral and anterior upper labials with deep pits; some of the
lower labials also pitted. Eye moderate, with vertical pupil.
Body more or less compressed; scales small, smooth. Tail mod-
erate or short, prehensile; subcaudals all or greater part in
two rows.” (Boulenger.)
The genus is widely distributed over Africa, southeastern Asia,
Papuasia, and Australia. Only the widely distributed Python
reticulatus (Schneider) is known to occur in the Philippines.
PYTHON RETICULATUS (Schneider)
Boa reticulatus SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 2 (1801) 264; Denkschr. Ak.
Minch. 7 (1821) 118; DAupIN, Hist. Rept. 5 (1808) 116.
Boa rhonbeata SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 2 (1801) 266.
Boa phrygia SHAW, Zool. 3 (1802) 348, pl. 97.
Coluber javanicus SHAW, Zool. 3 (1802) 441.
Python schneideri MERREM, Tent. Syst. Amph. (1820) 89; Bots, Isis
(1827) 515; GuERIN, Icon. Reg. Anim., Rept., Pl. 21, fig. 1;
SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 415, pl. 15, figs. 5-7.
PYTHON 69
Python reticulatus GRAY, Zool. Misc. (1842) 44; DUMERIL and Bipron,
Erp. Gén. 6 (1844) 426; Cantor, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 55; Gray,
Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849), 87; Peters, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 689;
GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 330; JAN, Icon. Gén. (1864)
97, pl. 6; StoLiczKa, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 39 (1870) 205; Mar-
TENS, Preus. Exped. O. Asien Zool. 1 (1876) 197; THEOBALD, Cat.
Rept. Brit. India (1876) 205; Borrtcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges.
(1886) 115; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 246; Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 85; Casto DE ELERA, Cat. I‘auna
Filipinas 1 (1895) 489; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911)
255; Taytor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917) 355.
Description of species—(From No. 426, Bureau of Science
collection ; collected on Polillo Island, October, 1909, by C. Cano-
nizado). Rostral higher than wide, visible from above, with 2
deep, curved, elongate pits; 2 regular internasals, longer than
wide, their mutual suture distinctly shorter than those formed
with nasals, their suture with rostral] about equal to suture
between nasal and rostral; nasals roughly triangular, nostril
pierced posteriorly; a deep suture enters nostril from above,
which nearly divides the scale into two parts; 2 large regular
prefrontals, widest along their mutual suture, very much larger
than internasals, in contact with posterior part of nasal and
with a scale which is intercalated between preocular and pre-
frontal; the latter scale lies diagonally, is rather rectangular in
shape, and is in contact with frontal, supraocular (on one side),
preocular and 2 loreals (broken into two parts on right side) ;
frontal divided, smaller than prefrontals, lying between and
somewhat anterior to eyes; supraocular large, about as wide as
long; 3 loreal scales, the anterior lying between nasal and third
labial, touching second and third labials; second loreal largest,
touching 38 labials; third smallest, touching only fifth labial; 2
preoculars, upper very’ large, three or four times the size of lower,
and in contact with fifth and sixth labials; lower touching sixth
and seventh labials; 13 upper labials, the seventh, largest, en-
tering eye; first 4 with deep pits diagonally elongate ; 2 postocular
scales in parietal region, small, very irregular, larger than body
scales; temporals slightly smaller; mental small, triangular; 23
lower labials, first 11 much elongated, second, third, and fourth
with small round pits; thirteenth to nineteenth inclusive pitted
with rounded pits; chin shields small, indistinguishable, mental
groove not especially distinct; scales on body small, the median
dorsal rows smallest, in 77 rows around widest part of body; the
scales in the row bordering ventrals several times larger than
those on middle of back; ventrals 324, rather narrow; subcaudals
91, in 2 rows; anal single; on either side of anus a small ex-
70 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
truding claw on tip of leg bone (more prominent in males) ;
eyes small, pupil vertical.
Color in life.—Yellowish gray to yellowish brown above, highly
iridescent, with a continuous, chainlike, zigzag marking of blue-
black inclosing irregular, rhomboidal, grayish yellow spots; the
black color surrounding these spots is rarely more than three
scales wide; on each side a second series of small white spots
inclosed by the dark color at the point where the rhombs are
widest; these in turn are connected by narrow marks to a dim
series of markings running along the outer edge of the ventrals
and the scales bordering the ventrals; ventrals dimly blotched
with grayish black; a narrow, black, median line from upper tip
of rostral to the dorsal markings on neck; a temporal streak
from eye to lateral neck marking; a small isolated dot of black
on each side in the parietal region; chin and throat whitish;
ventrals for the most part yellowish white to cream.
Measurements of Python reticulatus (Schneider) (young).
mm.
Total length 2,075
Snout to anus 1,797
Tail 278
Width of head 45
Length of head 70
Variation.—The number of scale rows around the body varies
greatly at the various parts of the body; in Philippine specimens
the variation of the number of rows in the widest part is from
74 to 78; of the ventrals, 317 to 335; and of the subcaudals, 80
to 93.*
The number of upper labials varies from 10 to 13, of lower
labials from 20 to 23. In all specimens examined the first 4
upper labials were pitted; the second, third, and sometimes the
fourth lower labials were pitted with small rounded pits; the
thirteenth to eighteenth lower labials were usually pitted. The
number of postoculars is variable; as few as 2 scales, and as
many as 5 occur. The seventh labial almost invariably enters
the eye.
The scales on the head are variable, particularly the element
lving between the prefrontals and the preocular, which is fre-
quently broken; the frontal is usually divided in Philippine speci-
mens, and frequently the anterior part is broken.
* According to Boulenger’s Catalogue the range of ventrals is as fol-
lows: Scale rows, 69 to 79; ventrals, 297 to 330; subcaudals, 78 to 102.
PYTHON val
The color of the young is similar to that of the adult. The
belly frequently assumes a bright orange color. In very young
specimens there are often black dots on either side of the median
black line on the head.
Remarks.—This snake attains a length of at least 9 meters.
It is not at all improbable that specimens of larger size are oc-
casionally found. All records of specimens longer than 8 or
9 meters should be verified beyond a doubt, for it must be re-
membered that the skin is elastic and can be stretched consider-
ably when freshly removed from the snake. Measurements of
skins therefore are not necessarily authentic for those of the
living snake.
Superstitious beliefs are probably more common regarding this
snake than any other in the Philippines. Fabulous stories are
told of its size; of snakes 20 to 30 meters in length having been
killed or seen, with body height that of a man; or of grown
carabaos having been eaten whole by a single reptile.
That these large constrictors of 8 or 9 meters can easily kill
aman or smaller animals is evident from their strength and size.
There are on record a few cases of such occurrences, but they
are rare. It is possible that they could kill a carabao if coiled
about the neck; but that a snake could eat one is absurd.
Many regard this snake as poisonous which, needless to say,
it is not. The flesh is white and is relished by many Filipinos.
Many of the rural people have young specimens in their houses
for protection from rats.
They feed on a great variety of animals, preferring smaller
mammals and the young of certain of the larger ones, such as
monkeys, deer, pigs, dogs, goats, as well as birds and fowls. In
captivity they do very well and are probably kept as menagerie
specimens more commonly than is any other snake, Boa con-
strictor of South America not excepted. Specimens kept in the
Bureau of Science Aquarium are fed a small goat once each
month.
Specimens are most frequently taken along rivers and they
_ appear to be somewhat aquatic in their habits. They usually
live in hollow trees, in hollow trunks of fallen trees, in holes in
the banks of streams, or in caves. They lay their eggs usually
in the hollow trunks of fallen trees and incubate them by encir-
cling them with the coils of the body.
The species is found on all the larger Philippine islands and
probably most of the smaller ones. It is known from Luzon,
HD SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Mindoro, Polillo, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar,
Palawan, Mindanao, and Basilan. It was reported as occurring
in Jolo and Tawitawi, but I was unable to verify these last two
localities. Outside of the Philippines it is known in Burma,
Cochin China, Siam, Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Java,
Celebes, Timor, and the Moluccas.
TABLE 9.—Mcasurements and scale counts of Python reticulatus
(Schneider).
- Pe = aa a i ; Rian
| | | [2/3 =
; | | ae ae ae ae oe
No. | Locality. | Collector | | s | | B aaa Sp ae
| | | ea ee Be a Oe sak ol 8
Yen 5 | oO o o 3
| | < Oe ie | a] mie | a
| | | | | mm. ‘es, mm. |mm. | |
| |B. H. Taylor_.....| vz 6899621 88 | 26) 80
915 6120} 23/ 39] 335! BL
[) 33% 70! 126| 24| 38! 325) 92
2,237 | 260 48; 75, S17) 88
2,175 | 278) 45 | 70 | 324, 91
2,452 | 285 | 50} 79 | 823) 82
1, 660 1865 | 82| 64] 322) 79
432 | Mindanao - bs 1,572 | 190| 83] 65) 328) 89
$26) (PolillGwes eases 865 | 120 | 22 | 38 | 328) 91
5113 | Mindanao __..---.------ 1,044 150 | 27 | 44 | 317 | 98
5 a is | 4 | ES | ae at ee |
do| . | 2 eel we | eB) a] 4] ee |
No: a | See) oe i Pee ee | aie 3 5 i Collection.
a (*| 9) & |e) eel ee) 2] 2 |
a a ei a 2, ° | of 2 8 g
<j | ra] P}P A er) | AG iv | n
eae Raseaket ai) caine (MES ee AE <=
65 1 7 3 | 10-11} 1-4 | 21-23 | 13-17 2| 4-5] 76 | B.H. Taylor.
64 1 1 3 | 18-13 | 1-4 | 23-23 | 13-18 2) 3-4| 74 | Do.
330 1 1 3 | 18-18 | 1-4 | 23-23 | 13-18 2| 34] 77] Do.
425| 1 1 3 | 13-18 | 1-4 | 21-21 | 13-18 2| 3-3| 80) Bureau of Science.
426) 1 1 3 | 13-18 | 1-4 | 21-22 | 13-18 2) 2-2| 77 | Do.
a7) 1 8 | 12-13 | 1-4 | 23-23] 13-18] 2) 33] 80) Do.
429} 1] 7] 8) 18-18] (@) | lesgesee 2} 3-8 | 78 | Do.
482 1 1 3 | 13-13 | 1-4 | 22-23 | 13-18 2| 3-3| 76 Do.
826 1 6) 3) 1212} 1-4 | 21-20 | 11-15 2) -353:| Seti “Des
53) 1 7 | 3 | w-14 | 1-4 | 22-28 | 13-18 | 2) 29 | 71 | E. H. Taylor.
a Head mutilated.
XENOPELTIDA
Imbricatz, part., Bork, Isis (1827) 510.
Tortricidx, part., JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (18638) 18.
Xenopeltide CoPE, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1864) 280;
GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 180; Corr, Proc. Am. Phil. Soe. 23
(1886) 482; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 275; Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (18938) 167.
XENOPELTIS 73
Cranial bones more or less solidly united; transpalatine pres-
ent; pterygoid extending to quadrate; prefrontal in contact with
nasal. Mandible without coronoid bone. Teeth in jaws, palate,
and premaxillary.
This family contains one genus and one species.
Genus XENOPELTIS Reinwardt
Xenopeltis REINWART, in Boie, Isis (1827) 564; DUMERIL and BIBRON,
Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 28; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 180;
JAN, Icon. Gén. (1865) 57; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept.
(1890) 276; Cat. Rept. Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 167, fig. 10.
Tortrix, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 1.
“Teeth small, equal, closely set, and very numerous (4 on each
side of the premaxillary, 33-38 in each maxillary, 35 or 36 in
each ramus of the mandible). Dentary bone attached loosely
to the apex of the articular and movable on it. ‘Head not distinct
from neck; eye small, with vertically elliptic pupil. Nostril be-
tween two small nasals; frontal in contact with a large ag[z]y-
gous interparietal shield, which is in the middle between four
parietals. A mental groove. Body cylindrical; scales smooth,
in 15 rows; ventrals large; tail short, subcaudals in two rows.”
(Boulenger.)
This genus has a single known species, Xenopeltis unicolor.
It attains a length of at least 1 meter. It is rare in the
Philippines and is probably confined to Palawan and the Sulu
Archipelago. Known also in southern Asia and the Malay
Archipelago.
XENOPELTIS UNICOLOR Reinwardt
PLATE 2
Xenopeltis unicolor REINWARDT, Boie, Isis (1827) 564; CANTOR, Cat.
Mal. Rept. (1847) 54; DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 28;
GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 180; JAN, Icon. Gén. 57 (1865)
1, 9, pl. 5; THEOBALD, Cat. Rept. Brit. India (1876) 140; BouLENn-
GER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 276, fig. 85; Cat. Snakes
Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 168, fig. 10; BArBour, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool.
Harvard Coll. 44 (1912) 106; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D
13 (1918) 259.
Xenopeltis concolor REINWARDT, in Boie, Isis (1827) 564.
Xenopeltis leucocephala REINWARDT, in Boie, Isis (1827) 564.
Tortrix cenopeltis SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 20, pl. 1, figs.
8-10; “Abbild. (1844) pl. 35.
Description of species —(From No. 738, Bureau of Science
collection; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, January 8, 1909, by
C. M. Weber.) Head much flattened, somewhat wedge-shaped,
not distinct from neck; snout rounded; scales on head imbricate ;
74 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
rostral wider than high, visible from above, pointed behind;
internasals small, wider than deep, narrowed medially, the suture
between them about one-third that between prefrontals; pre-
frontals longer than wide, rounding behind, their mutual suture
longest, their shortest suture with
posterior nasal; frontal as wide as
long, equal in length to its distance
from end of snout; parietals broken
into 5 scales, none as large as frontal,
but the 3 bordering frontal largest;
interparietal a little larger than
anterior or posterior parietals; a
sixth scale borders interparietal be-
hind and is smallest, a little larger
than body scales; nasal divided, nos-
tril nearly surrounded by anterior
part, posterior part largest; loreal
(or preocular) very large, broadly
entering eye and forming a broad
suture with frontal, bordered by 2
labials below; supraocular present,
Fic. 5. Xenopeltis unicolor Reins Very small, less than one-eighth the
wardt; after Boulenger; @. heady size of frontal, less than either of the
2 postoculars; 2 anterior temporals,
the lower in contact with both postoculars, the upper with one;
3 posterior temporals; 8 upper labials, fourth and fifth entering
eye (only the fourth on the left side) ; first labial in contact with
internasal; 8 lower labials, 3 in contact with the single pair of
chin shields; scales in 15 rows, smooth, without apical pits, the
median dorsals smallest, the outer scale row largest and ventral;
ventrals, 178, comparatively narrow; anal divided; subcaudals,
29; the scale immediately in front of anal scale much enlarged,
and the subcaudal scale behind anus single.
Color in aleohol.—Above purplish brown, each scale lighter on
the edges, the light color becoming more pronounced laterally
and appearing as longitudinal dotted lines; the second outer row
of scales has only a dim brownish spot on each scale; the first
row has no dark color, but is yellowish; lower labials with
brownish purple spots on each scale; dark spots on chin shields;
belly immaculate; underside of tail with large purplish spots
for more than half its length; a broad, dim, lighter nuchal collar.
XENOPELTIS fb
Measurements of Xenopeltis unicolor Reinwardt.
mm.
Total length 730
Tail 84
Width of head 15
Length of head 25
Variation —Practically no variation is evident in color or
marking save that in the young the purple is more pronounced
and the collar is almost pure yellowish white. The specimen here
described is abnormal in having only the fourth labial entering
the eye on one side, and only minutely on the other side. The
fourth and fifth labials enter the eye in all specimens examined
except one (No. 736, Bureau of Science collection) in which
the fourth labial alone enters the eye on one side. Boulenger *
gives the range of ventrals as 166 to 193; of subcaudals, 26 to
31. It is significant that in the six specimens listed in the
attached table the subcaudal count is identical.
TABLE 10.—Measurements and scale counts of Xenopeltis unicolor
Reinwardt.
|
| No. Sex. | Locality. | Collector. |Length.) Tail.
| |
| mm. | mm.
ed 4 iG. |, Twalties Palawan coo. 5 ee seen oe | C. M. Weber. 415 | 48
953 || ova ee xd Occ ea Ke re Re aR beard oneness | 365 ae
ll i a. aoe CO Osic Lae agad tama eet ae eta eed ete Niger eater alee 672 80
BUA, Qos Ws se Os og tema Suse cae ee werneinriecar ee ieee feemte (dO. ssecuersacneus 655 80
738 one eee Cc (0 ae ee a es ee ee eee Dene GO. ats 735 | 84
HBO.) Gi |eaen Gos Se oakee eh Ae ae te al eee ee [hens Oi Fase ce oin ses 610 65
Upper Lower Scale Labials
No. | trals. Sole labials. |labials., rows. | cig Collection.
qo eo aa Sree =
734 } 181 | 29 | 8 | 8 15 4,5 Bureau of Science.
735: 179 ~~ 29 8 8 15 4,5 Do.
736 WT 29 a 8 6B eal Do.
737/174) 29 g| 8 15) 4,5 Do.
\ | |
m38/ 17) 29, 8 8) 15 {43 Do.
| | 4
739 181 29 | 8 | 8 15 4,5 Do.
Remarks.—The species was discovered in the Philippines by
Mr. C. M. Weber in Palawan, and was first recorded by Griffin.+
* Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1898) 168.
+ Loe. cit.
76 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
T obtained a specimen on Bongao Island, Sulu Archipelago. This
specimen is of a dark slate or bluish slate color; otherwise it
agrees fairly well with the Palawan specimens. It is known in
the Philippines from these two localities only. Outside of the
Philippines it is known from India, Burma, Siam, Malay Pe-
ninsula, Nias, Borneo, Celebes, Sumatra, and Java. In the Phil-
ippines it is rare, as it is said to be in Java also.*
NATRICIDA#
“Facial bones movable; prefrontal not in contact with nasal;
transpalatine present; pterygoid extending to mandible or quad-
rate; supratemporal present, attached scale-like to the skull and
suspending quadrate; maxillary horizontal, not movable per-
pendicularly to the transpalatine. Mandible without coronoid
bone. Both jaws toothed.” (Boulenger.) +
The family is divided into the following subfamilies: Acro-
chordine, Natricinze, Rachiodontine, Homalopsine, Coronelline,
Boigine, Elachistodontine, and Langahine. Representatives of
six of these subfamilies are to be found in the Philippines, and
they may be distinguished as follows:
Key to the Philippine subfamilies of the Natricide.
a’, Hypapophyses present throughout the vertebral column.
b*, All maxillary teeth solid.
c. Postfrontal bone produced over the supraorbital region; scales not
or but slightly imbricate............20.0..22.....222---- Acrochordine (p. 76).
c. Postfrontal bone not produced over the supraorbital region; scales
STV TUUo)) 2) Ler? = oe Re Oe Oe cc teeL ete eet ate Natricine (p. 78).
b*. Posterior maxillary teeth grooved.
c’. Nostrils valvular, on upper side of snout...... Homalopsine (p. 110).
c’. Nostrils not valved, lateral..........0..00.0000...020-- ... Langahine (p. 116).
a’. Hypapophyses absent in posterior dorsal vertebra.
bY. All maxillary teeth solide... cece Coronelline (p. 117).
b?. Posterior maxillary teeth grooved. .........000.000.0000000.... Boigine (p. 195).
The Natricinee and the Coronellinee constitute the bulk of the
harmless Philippine snakes. The two subfamilies together are
equivalent to Boulenger’s family Colubride.
ACROCHORDIN-®
Acrochordine BOULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 854; Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1898) 172.
“Postfrontal bone produced over the supraorbital region.
Maxillary and dentary bones armed with solid teeth along their
* Barbour, loc. cit.; Schlegel, loc. cit.
} Boulenger’s definition of the Colubride, from Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus.
1 (1893) 169.
CHERSYDRUS 7:
whole length; palatines and pterygoids toothed. Hypapophyses
developed throughout the vertebral column. Scales not or but
slightly imbricate.” (Bouwlenger.)
This subfamily, consisting of several genera, is distributed
over southeastern Asia, the East Indies, and Central America.
Only Chersydrus is known in the Philippines. Xenodermus,
Acrochordus, Stoliczkaia, and Anoplohydrus enter the East
Indies, the first with a single species extending from Siam and
the Malay Peninsula to New Guinea; the second extending from
the Malay Peninsula to Java and Sumatra; the third has been
found in Borneo, but is apparently absent from the other East
Indian islands; and the fourth is from Sumatra. It is signif-
icant that most of these genera are monotypic.
Genus CHERSYDRUS Cuvier
Hydrus, part., SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 1 (1799) 248.
Chersydrus CUVIER, Reg. Anim. 2 (1817) 75; Gray, Cat. Vip. Snakes
(1849) 60; DUMERIL and BiBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 40; GUNTHER,
Rept. Brit. India (1864) 836; BorTTcER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges.
(1886) 115; BoULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 3855;
Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 178.
Acrochordus, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 424.
Potamophis, part., ScHmipt, Abh. Naturw. Hamb. 2 (1852) 75.
“Teeth subequal, 12 to 15 in each maxillary. Head not distinct
from neck, small, covered with granular, juxtaposed scales;
nostrils close together on the top of the snout; eye very small, with
vertically subelliptic pupil. Body stout, compressed; scales very
small, juxtaposed, rhomboidal, with a short tubercle-like keel,
spinose on the belly; no ventral shields; a fold of the skin
running along the median line of the abdomen. Tail short,
compressed, prehensile, scaled like the body.” (Boulenger.)
For the distribution of the family see that of the single species.
CHERSYDRUS GRANULATUS (Schneider)
PLATE 3, FIG. 1
Hydrus granulatus SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 1 (1799) 2438.
Acrochordus fasciatus SHAW, Zool. 3 (1802) 576, pl. 180; SCHLEGEL,
Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 429, pl. 14, figs. 14-16.
Pelamis granulatus DAUDIN, Rept. 7 (1803) 3870.
Acrochordus granulatus CANTOR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 59.
Chersydrus granulatus GRAY, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 61; GUNTHER,
Rept. Brit. India (1864) 336; THEOBALD, Cat. Rept. Brit. India
(1876) 186; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 355,
fig.; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 174; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ.
Sci. § D 6 (1911) 255.
Chersydrus annulatus GRAY, Cat. Snakes (1849) 61.
Potamophis fasciata Scumipt, Abh. Naturw. Hamb. 2 (1852) 75.
Chersydrus fasciatus DUMERIL and BiBRoN, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 41.
78 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Description of species—(From No. 773, Bureau of Science
collection; collected in Manila Bay.) Head narrow, not distinct
from neck; eyes small; body compressed; rostral wanting or
reduced greatly; no regular head scales; nostrils nearly as large
as eyes, valvular, separated from each other by a single narrow
scale; the row of scales above the row bordering mouth largest;
anterior row of scales on lower jaw broken into two deep
grooves, scales adjoining the scale row bordering mouth much
enlarged; no distinct chin shields; eye surrounded by about 11
small scales, about 11 scales in a row between eyes; scales small,
juxtaposed, tubercled, about 100 rows around widest part of
body, those on back two or three times as large as lateral scales;
no ventral shields; scales along ventral surface form a small,
finely serrated fold; tail short, rather compressed; no subcaudals;
neck and head less than half as deep as greatest depth of body.
Color in life—Above lead color with lateral indistinct mark-
ings of yellowish white, very slightly evident dorsally; the slight
ventral fold whitish, terminating in a larger white spot under
chin; dim light markings in occipital region; anal region white;
no line under tail.
Measurements of Chersydrus granulatus (Schneider).
mm.
Total length 785
Snout to vent 703
Tail 82
Width of head 14
Length of head 20
Depth of neck 15
Greatest body depth ; 35
Variation.—The young are blackish brown, very distinctly
marked on the sides with white transverse bars, which usually
fail to join dorsally; the white bars are widest laterally; the
head has two small white dots between and anterior to the eyes ;
a row of larger white dots across the occipital region,
Remarks. —The species attains a length of 1 meter or more.
It is extreme!y common along the shores and fresh-water streams
near the seacoast. Females give birth to as many as ten young
at one time. The species is entirely harmless.
NATRICIN 4
Hypapophyses present throughout the vertebral column. All
maxillary teeth solid; the postfrontal bone not produced over
the supraorbital region. Scales imbricate. Teeth on the entire
length of the maxillary and dentary bones,
~l
ito)
SIBYNOPHIS
Key to the Philippine genera of the Natricinz.*
a’, Subcaudals double; maxillary teeth equal, or last two or three enlarged.
b*. Eye small, pupil round; scales smooth, without apical pits; snout
ODEUSC cesar evens a ae ee ey Sibynophis Fitzinger (p. 79).
b*. Eye large, pupil round; scales nearly all keeled, usually with apical
pits snout Obtise..2..4 i Asem Natrix Laurenti (p. 82).
b®. Eye moderate, pupil vertically elongate; snout pointed; scales smooth,
MO apical pltsose sa Oxyrhabdium Boulenger (p. 99).
a*, Subcaudals single; anterior maxillary teeth enlarged and separated
from those following by a short interspace; eye moderate, pupil
round; snout obtuse; scales smooth, without apical pits.
Cyclocorus Duméril and Bibron (p. 105).
Fic. 6. Typical Natricine head; after Griffin; Dendrelaphis terrificus (Peters), from Griffin’s
figure of D. cxruleatus; ch, chin shield; f, frontal; il, inferior labial; in, internasal; lb,
superior labial; lo, loreal; m, mental, or symphysial; n, nasal; par, parietal; pf, prefrontal ;
po, preocular; pto, postocular; r, rostral; s0, supraocular; ta, anterior temporal; tp,
posterior temporal; v, ventral.
Genus SIBYNOPHIS Fitzinger
Sibynophis FITZINGER, Syst. Rept. (1843) 26; STEJNEGER, Proc. U.
S. Nat. Mus. 38 (1910) 102.
Herpetodryas, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 173.
Enicognathus DUMERIL and BiBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 328.
Ablabes, part., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes Brit. Mus. (1858) 27;
Rept. Brit. India (1864) 223.
Enicognathus, part., JAN, Arch. Zool. Anat. Phys. 2 (1868) 266.
Henicognathus Cope, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 8 (1876)
138; part., BocourT, Miss. Sc. Mex., Rept. (1886) 625.
Polyodontophis BOULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 301;
Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 181; GrRirFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci.
§ D 6 (1911) 256.
“The characters given here may not apply to extra-Philippine species
of the genera.
80 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
“Teeth very numerous and closely set, 30 to 50 in each max-
illary, equal in size. Dentary bone completely detached from
the articular posteriorly. Head short, not or but slightly dis-
tinct from neck; eye moderate or rather small, with round pu-
pil. Body cylindrical, elongate; scales smooth, without apical
pits, in 17 or 19 rows. Tail moderate or long; subcaudals in
two rows. Hypapophyses developed throughout the vertebral
column.” (Boulenger.)
The occurrence in the Philippines of a species of this genus is
somewhat unusual, as no other member of the genus appears
to have been discovered in any of the East Indian islands.
Species occur in Madagascar, Comoro Islands, southeastern Asia,
and Central America; it offers a good example of discontinuous
distribution.
The Philippine species, Sibynophis bivittatus, is small and
harmless; it is not recognized by people in Busuanga as being a
different snake from the poisonous Doliophis bilineatus, which
occurs on the same island, the name odto-odto * being applied
to both species. They regard both as deadly poisonous.
SIBYNOPHIS BIVITTATUS (Boulenger)
PLATE 10, FIG. 1
Polyodontophis bivittatus BOULENGER, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. VI 14
(1894) 82; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 597; GRIFFIN, Philip.
Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 256.
Description of species—(From an unnumbered specimen in
Santo Tomas Museum; collected in Palawan, collector and date
unknown.) Rostral twice as broad as high, only a very small
part visible from above, forming its largest suture with inter-
nasals and its smallest with first labial; internasal large, ap-
parently bordering nostril, about as broad as long, their mutual
suture diagonal; prefrontals wider than long, also forming a
diagonal mutual suture (left prefrontal broadly in contact with
right internasal), in contact with and forming coequal sutures
with posterior nasal, loreal, preocular, and supraoculars; frontal
elongate, shield-shaped, not quite twice as long as broad, much
longer than its distance to end of snout, as long as parietals or
minutely shorter, wider and slightly longer than supraoculars;
parietals longer than wide, in contact with both postoculars and
2 temporals; nasal divided, TEGE NAR e bordering nostril; pos-
* This name is usually applied to species of Tynhlops.-¢ Jehesty Typhlops
bramimus, in Negros and other Visayan islands. It is regarded by the
Visayans as deadly poisonous. :
SIBYNOPHIS &1
terior nasal highest and largest; loreal as long as deep, smaller
than preocular; latter much higher than wide, much wider at
top than bottom; supraoculars twice as long as wide; 2 small
postoculars, lower touching 2 labials; temporals, 2+5, lower
anterior largest, wedged between sixth and seventh labials; 8
upper labials, last much the largest; third, fourth, and fifth en-
tering eye, progressing in size from first; 8 lower labials, 4 touch-
ing first chin shields, which are longer and wider than second;
eye rather large; ventrals, 145; anal divided; subcaudals, 93 in 2
rows; scales in 17 rows, smooth, without apical pits.
Color in alcohol—Above dark reddish brown, which reaches
laterally to outer row of scales but does not include them; two
white stripes begin behind parietals and continue to extreme
tip of tail, each stripe covering one scale row and parts of the
two adjoining rows; ventrally immaculate yellowish white; a
broad yellow area between eyes involving larger part of frontals
and supraoculars; two small yellow spots on prefrontals, and
one on each upper labial; some small yellow spots on parietals;
chin dirty whitish.
Measurements of Sibynophis bivittatus (Boulenger).
mm,
Total length 460
Body to vent 299
Tail 161
Width of head 8
Variation.—There are three specimens in the Santo Tomas
Museum, all from Palawan. Like the types in the British Mu-
seum, all save the described specimen have mutilated tails,
which fact seems significant. The specimens agree with the
type description save in the following characters: The ground
color is dark reddish brown instead of black, and the color bare-
ly extends on the outer scale rows, and there are no spots on the
ventrals. In two of the specimens the white lines continue to
the eyes. In Busuanga, on the seashore, near the small settle-
ment of Minuit, I recently captured a specimen having the follow-
ing scale counts: Ventrals, 152; anal, divided; subcaudals, 106;
upper labials, 8; lower labials, 9; scale rows, 17; fourth and
fifth labials entering eye. The diagonal direction of the suture
between the prefrontals is evident and leaves the left prefrontal
in contact with the right internasal. This strange anomaly is
present in all four specimens examined. I suspect that this is
the normal condition, although it was not mentioned as occurring
in the type.
161465——6
82 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Color in life.—Above black with two cream-white stripes be-
ginning behind parietal and continuing to tip of tail; outer scale
row slightly greenish gray instead of black; head reddish brown
with a light interorbital stripe or blotch washed with salmon
red; a few creamy white dots on parietals and prefrontals; each
labial with a large paper-white spot; above labial spots darker;
chin muddy white; below uniform greenish yellow.
Obviously this is a rare species. It closely resembles * Do-
liophis bilineatus Boulenger and Dryocalamus philippinus
Griffin, both of which are known to inhabit the Palawan group
of islands.
TABLE 11.—Measurements and scale counts of Sibynophis bivittatus
(Boulenger).
° hee | 7 Cm ee
| eooT ag (ee. Ney ae | 5
5] I nash) eRe) Me) ees :
| No. Locality. Collector. 3 2 | £ | B's Ei 8 a 2 Collection.
| e | & | a oO a a3
| o | o a u ° 3
| Pie sf oct NaS. UF see op fe
| eee enna eet (eae eee! (eee scares —— ee Seearenee
|
| mm. | |
aera a | Palawan.____.----| Unknown ___-| 370 | 155 8 1 2 3, 4, 5 | Santo Tomas.
esdees |-----do suse sesunls esd Ove wast 260! | 1460) 8 1 2 | 3, 4, 5 Do.
Phe edo ee Anas |e Gloreaeances CO eae ec en Pe er eee Do.
559 | Busuanga -------_ E. H. Taylor__| 280 | 152 | 8 1 2 4, 5 Bureau of Science.
| |
« Mutilated.
Genus NATRIX Laurenti
Natrix, part., LAURENTI, Syn. Rept. (1768) 73.
Tropinotus KUHL, Isis (1822) 473.
Tropidonotus KUHL, Férussac, Bull. Sci. Nat. 2 (1824) 81; Bolin,
Isis (1826) 205; BouLENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 192.
Tropidonotus, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 297; DUMERIL
and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 549; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes
(1858) 59; Rept. Brit. India (1864) 258; JAN, Arch. Zool. Anat.
Phys. 3 (1865) 203; BouLeNcER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890)
341.
Natri« BONAPARTE, Mem. Acc. Torin. II 2 (1839) 436; Cope, Proe.
U. S. Nat. Mus. 11 (1888) 392; 14 (1892) 667; STEJNEGER, Bull.
U.S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 263, 264.
Rhabdophis FITZINGER, Syst. Rept. (1843) 27.
EButainia, BAIRD and GIRARD, Serp. N. Am. (1853) 24; Cope, Proce.
U. S. Nat. Mus. 14 (1892) 645.
Steirophis FITZINGER, Syst. Rept. (1843) 27.
Leptophis, part., DUMERIL and BiBron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 5
Hydrophilophis Scumipr, Abh. Naturw. Ver. Hamburg II 2 (1852).
Nerodia BAIRD and GIRARD, Serp. N. Am. (1853) 38.
Regina BatRD and Girarp, Serp. N. Am. (1853) 45.
* Boulenger, loc. cit.
NATRIX 83
Amphiesma DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 724.
Thamnophis Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1860) 369.
Bothrodytes Cope, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. 23 (1886) 495.
Ceratophallus Cope, Am. Nat. 27 (1893) 483.
Diplophallus Cope, Am. Nat. 27 (1893) 483.
“Maxillary teeth 18 to 40, posterior longest; mandibular teeth
subequal. Head usually distinct from neck; eye rather small,
moderate, or large, with round pupil. Body more or less elon-
gate, cylindrical; scales mostly keeled, in some species smooth,
usually with apical pits, in 15 to 33 rows; ventrals rounded.
Tail moderate or long; subcaudals in two rows. Hypapophyses
developed throughout the vertebral column.” (Boulengev.)
This large genus is distributed over Central and North Amer-
ica, Europe, Asia, Africa, North Australia, the Malay Archi-
pelago, and Japan.
In the Philippines seven species are known; one of these,
Natrix stolata (Linneeus), reported by Peters from Calumpit,
Bulacan Province, Luzon, I regard as doubtful.
Key to the Philippine species of Natrix Laurenti.
a’. Maxillary teeth not more than 30, last 2 or 3 abruptly enlarged.
b'. Head moderately elongate; scales in 19 rows.
c’. Single anterior temporal; third, fourth, and fifth upper labials enter-
ing eye; outer scale rows smooth.... N. stolata (Linnzus) (p. 84).
c’. Two anterior temporals; fourth, fifth, and sixth upper labials enter-
ing eye; outer scale row feebly keeled.
N. spilogaster (Boie) (p. 86).
c*. Two anterior temporals; 3 temporals entering eye; internasals as
long as prefrontals; outer row of scales strongly keeled.
N. chrysarga (Schlegel) (p. 87).
b*. Head short, very distinct from neck.
c'. Seales in 17 rows, third, fourth, and fifth labials entering eye.
N. auriculata (Giinther) (p. 89).
c’. Seales in 19 rows.
d’. Two anterior temporals; subcaudals, 96 to 101.
N. crebripunctata (Wiegmann) (p. 91).
d?. One anterior temporal; subcaudals, 64 to 71.
N. lineata (Peters) (p. 92).
a’, Maxillary teeth, 35 to 40; Reston but slightly enlarged; scales in 17
Ole NO! OWS iin. cekgascescesoareen eee een hs N. dendrophiops Giinther (p. 95)
The snakes of this genus, as the name suggests, are somewhat
aquatic; they are usually found about moist or damp situations
where there are frogs, since frogs form the largest part of their
food. They are wholly harmless to man. WNatrix spilogaster
is frequently captured in Manila. It is probably the best known
species owing to its presence about rice paddies.
84 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
NATRIX STOLATA (Linnzus)
Coluber stolatus LINNSuS, Syst. Nat. 1 (1766) 379; DAUDIN, Rept.
7 (1803) 161.
Elaps bilineatus SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 2 (1801) 299.
Coluber bilineatus DAupDIN, Rept. 7 (1808) 165.
Natrix stolatus MERREM, Syst. Amph. (1820) 123; STEJNEGER, Journ.
Sci. Coll. Tokyo 12° (1898) 221; Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907)
280 (in syn.).
Tropidonotus stolatus Bork, Isis (1827) 535; SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp.
2 (1837) 317; Canror, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 90; PETERS, Mon.
Berl. Ak. 2 (1861) 686; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 226;
SwiINHog, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. III 12 (1863) 225; THEOBALD,
Cat. Rept. Brit. India (1876) 177; ANDERSON, An. Zool. Res.
Yunnan (1879) 816; Murray, Zool. Sind. (1884) 379; BOETTGER,
Ber. Offenb. Ver. Nat. (1888) 79; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India,
Rept. (1890) 348, fig.; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 253;
WALL, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1908) 86.
Amphiesma stolatum DUMERIL and BiBRoNn, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 727.
Description of species —(From Stejneger, Bull. U. 8S. Nat.
Mus.) “Rostral much broader than high, well visible from above;
internasals slightly shorter than the prefrontals, very narrow in
front, their suture with rostral considerably shorter than suture
between rostral and first labial; prefrontals in contact with su-
praoculars; frontal longer than its distance from tip of snout
and interparietal suture; parietals equaling the distance of eye
from tip of snout; nostril large, between two subequal nasals;
loreal somewhat longer than high, upper edge shorter than and
parallel with lower; one preocular, not in contact with frontal;
3 postoculars; temporals 1 + 2; supralabials 8, third, fourth, and
fifth entering eye, sixth and seventh largest; 5 lower labials in
contact with anterior chin-shields which are shorter than the
posterior; 19 rows of scales, strongly keeled except outer row,
and without apical pores; 149 ventrals; anal divided; 81 pairs
of subcaudals. ;
“Color (in aleohol).—Above brownish gray with numerous
narrow black crossbars alternating on each side of the median
line anteriorly but continuous farther back; across this pattern
two longitudinal, dorso-lateral pale bands occupying the whole
of sixth scale row and the adjacent halves of fifth and seventh
rows; posteriorly these bands are nearly uniformly pale, but
anteriorly they exhibit a kind of chain pattern, inasmuch as
the outer edges of the middle scale row are black except where
the band intersects as black crossbar; below the lateral band
many small irregularly alternating black spots; top of head with
obscure dusky edges to the shields; no nuchal collar: supra-
NATRIX , 85
labials whitish, the light color extending upward on the pre-
ocular and the lower postoculars, the vertical edges of the labials
heavily margined with black as are also the preocular in front
and the postoculars behind, the vertical, black edged, white bar
in front of the eye being very characteristic; underside uniform
whitish, each ventral with a black mark near the outer edge.”
Measurements of Natrix stolata (Linnzus).
mm
Total length 522
Snout to vent 382
Vent to tip of tail : 140
Variation.—Boulenger gives the ranges of ventrals and sub-
caudals as 120 to 161 and 50 to 89, respectively. Those recorded
by Stejneger * from Formosa are ventrals, 142 to 150; subcau-
dals, 65 to 81.
Remarks.—I have at hand a snake (No. 169, Bureau of Science
collection) from Batan Island, just south of Formosa, which I
have hesitated to refer to this species. It differs somewhat from
the typical form. There are two preoculars, a single anterior
temporal, and on one side the upper part of the seventh labial
is broken, forming an anomalous scale. There is a light area
in front of the eye, and the belly is spotted with small dark dots.
Unfortunately there is but a single specimen from this locality,
and this a very young one. It would appear to be the “missing
link” between Natria stolata and N. spilogaster. In the colora-
tion of the belly it agrees with the latter; in the presence of a
single anterior temporal, with the former. I am unable to de-
termine with certainty the presence or absence of apical pits.
A specimen of Natrix spilogaster which I collected at Baguio
has a single anterior temporal, but there are two very small
scales inserted between this and the sixth labial. Only the
fourth and fifth labials enter the eye. The spotting on the belly
is not so distinct as in the Batan specimen, and the outer row
of scales is quite smooth; there are 159 ventrals; the tip of the
tail is missing; there are two preoculars, and apical pits are
_ present. .
In two specimens of Natrix spilogaster in the Bureau of
Science collection (Nos. 182 and 204) there is but a single an-
terior temporal present, but it is noticeably widened, suggesting
a fusion of two scales. A third specimen (No. 192) has one
anterior temporal on the right side and two on the left.
* Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.
86 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
The only record of the occurrence of Natria stolata in the Phil-
ippine Islands is that of Peters.* If Peters’s specimen is extant
it would be well to have it examined to determine the species
as well as the presence or absence of apical pits. I strongly
suspect that Peters’s specimen was either Natria spilogaster or
N. stolata from an extra-Philippine locality.
NATRIX SPILOGASTER (Boie)
PLATE 4, FIG. 1
Tropidonotus spilogaster Botg, Isis (1827) 535; (1828) 559; Duv-
MERIL and Bipron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 598; GUNTHER, Cat. Col.
Snakes Brit. Mus. (1858) 66; PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 687;
JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. Milan (1863) 72; Arch. Zool. Anat. Phys.
3 (1865) 225; Icon. Gén. (1868) 27, pl. 2, fig. 1; FiscHER, Arch.
f. Nat. 48 (1882) 282; Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg (1885) 80;
MUuter, III. Nacht. Cat. Herp. Samml. Basel Mus. (1883) 15;
BoETTGER, Ber. Senck: Nat. Ges. (1886) 109; BOULENGER, Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 257.
Tropiddnotus quincunciatus var. SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. (1837) 309;
EyYpDoux and GERVAIS, Voy. Favorite, Zool. (1839) 69, pl. 28.
Natrix spilogaster GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 596;
§$ D5 (1910) 211; § D 6 (1911) 257; TaAytor, Philip. Journ. Sci.
§ D 12 (1917) 356.
Description of species —(From No. 407, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at Manila, May 29, 1915, by E. H. Taylor.)
(Adult female.) Rostral nearly twice as wide as high, narrow-
ly visible from above; internasals as long as broad, broadly
truncate anteriorly, as long as prefrontals; latter much broader
than long, forming their longest suture with frontal; frontal
a little longer than its distance from end of snout, four-fifths as
wide as long; parietals longer than frontal, their greatest width
nearly equaling length of frontal; 2 nasals, second highest; loreal
moderately large, as high as deep, in contact with 2 preoculars,
of which the superior is largest; supraocular a little longer than
frontal and at least half as wide; 3 postoculars, subequal in
size; temporals 2 + 2 + 3; 9 upper labials, fourth, fifth, and sixth
entering eye; labials have the following order of size; seventh,
eighth, sixth, ninth, fifth, fourth, third, second, first: 10 lower
labials, 5 in contact with anterior chin shields; mental broadly
triangular; 2 pairs of chin shields subequal in size: head rather
thick; diameter of eye equal to its distance from nostril; scales
in 19 rows, all strongly keeled except outer row, which is faintly
or not at all keeled; ventrals, 150; anal double; subcaudals, 88.
¥ Loe. -ert:
NATRIX 87
Color in life-——Above olive gray, with three dark stripes run-
ning the length of body, separated by two lighter lines; light
stripes are barred with lighter transverse spots at regular in-
tervals. Each light stripe covers the equivalent of: three scale
rows; the dark stripes are much wider and are spotted with
dark black spots, those on median stripe being largest and most
conspicuous. Outer row of scales has an indistinct row of
lighter spots; two nuchal light spots, quite large, of a creamy
yellow; upper lip cream, with dark spots on sutures of three
anterior labials; lower rim of orbit dark; chin and lower labials
light, with a spot on ninth lower labial; outer edge of ventrals
grayish; ventrally flesh colored, with numerous dark spots, five
or six on each ventral scale.
Measurements of Natrix spilogaster (Bote).
mm.
Total length 735
Snout to vent 535
Tail 200
Width of head 14
Length of head 23
Variation.—In the numerous specimens examined the follow-
ing variations are evident: The frontal varies from one and a
half to one and two-thirds times as long as broad; there are 1 or
2 preoculars; postoculars, 2, 3 or 4; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 + 3,
very rarely1 + 2o0r1+ 3. There are 5 or 6 lower labials in con-
tact with the anterior chin shields; the ventrals vary between 147
and 155; the subcaudals vary between 80 and 91. The distinct-
ness of the dorsal stripes varies considerably.
Remarks.—The species is common in Luzon. It has been re-
ported from Negros and Palawan by Boulenger and from Min-
danao by J. G. Fischer. Specimens in the collections examined
are from Polillo, Luzon, and Camiguin (Babuyan Islands).
The species feeds almost wholly on frogs. It is frequently en-
countered in the city of Manila.
NATRIX CHRYSARGA (Schlegel)
PLATE 4, FIG. 5
Tropidonotus chrysargus SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 312; GUN-
THER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 70; FiscHer, Arch. Nat. (1885)
57, pl. 4, fig. 2; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 345;
Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 258.
Tropidonotus junceus CANTOR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 93; BLyTH,
Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 24 (1855) 716; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India
(1864) 268, pl. 22, fig. F.
Natrix chrysarga STEJNEGER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 265;
GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 257.
88 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Description of species.— (From No. 163, Bureau of Science col-
lection; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, by C. M. Weber.) Head
rather elongate, distinct from neck; rostral much broader than
high, visible from above; internasals longer than wide, about
as long as prefrontals, the suture between them nearly equal to
that between prefrontals; frontal about one and two-third times
as long as broad, shorter than supraoculars, as long as its dis-
tance to end of snout, much shorter than parietals; latter much
longer than broad, in contact with 1 postocular and 2 (3 on left
side) temporals; nasal large, divided or nearly so; loreal about
as deep as long; 1 preocular, higher than wide; eye large; 3
postoculars; 9 upper labials, fourth, fifth, and sixth entering eye,
seventh and eighth largest; mental much broader than deep;
11 lower labials (the first anterior on left side broken) ; first
pair of chin shields shorter and broader than second pair, touch-
ing first 6 labials; second pair of chin shields touching labials
entire length; scales strongly keeled, in 19 rows, outer row
largest; ventrals, 152; anal divided; subcaudals, 69.
Color.—Above grayish brown, the skin between the scales
rather reddish brown; a lateral row of small brownish yellow
spots from head to tail; labials with yellowish spots; chin and
belly immaculate, outer edges of ventrals grayish.
Measurements of Natrix chrysarga (Schlegel).
mm
Total length 825
Snout to vent 625
Tail 200
Width of head 18
Length of head 30
Variation.—Not a great deal of variation obtains in the speci-
mens examined. The counts of ventral scales vary within the
limits of 150 and 160; of subcaudals, between 80 and 90. Bou-
lenger gives 143 to 175 for the ventral range; 60 to 93 for the
subcaudal range.
The young are very distinctly marked. The head is dark gray-
ish brown, with two black-edged, white, parietal spots; there is a
yellow bar on the side of the head in front of the eye, edged
anteriorly with black; the labials entering the eye are yellow,
edged with black; a vertical bar is present immediately behind
the eye; the neck is blackish with a broad V-shaped, yellow mark
crossing it from the angles of the mouth. The body is gray-
brown; the five median scale rows are slightly darker than the
adjoining rows, and are traversed by numerous, regular black
NATRIX 89
bars. Opposite these black bars, on the three adjoining scale
rows, are small, yellowish white spots, below which on the outer
scale rows is another series of black bars or spots; the ventrals
have an indistinct row of dots on the outer sides, distinctly
marked on the tail.
Remarks.—This species is as common in the Calamianes and
Palawan as Natrix spilogaster is in Luzon. It is found in low
moist situations and along small streams. It feeds on frogs
and fishes. It is not regarded as poisonous by the people of
Busuanga. It occurs from the eastern Himalayas through As-
sam, Burma, southern China and the Malay Peninsula, to Java,
Sumatra, Borneo, and Palawan.
NATRIX AURICULATA (Gunther)
PLATE 4, FIGS. 2 TO 4
Tropidonotus auriculatus GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 80;
Peters, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 687; BouLENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit.
Mus. 1 (1893) 261, pl. 17, fig. 1; F. Mtr, III. Nacht. Cat. Herp.
Samml. Basel Mus. (1883) 15; FiscHer, Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Ham-
burg 2 (1885) 80; BorTrcrrR, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 108.
Natrix auriculata GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 257.
Description of species—(From No. 50, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao, September
23, 1913, by E. H. Taylor.) (Adult female.) Head very short
and blunt, very distinct from neck; rostral broader than deep,
visible only as a narrow line from above; internasals longer
than broad, narrowed anteriorly ; prefrontals much broader than
long, shorter than internasals; frontal about one and a half
times as long as broad, longer than its distance from end of
snout; parietals longer than frontal, in contact with 1 superior
postocular; 2 nasals, the poste-
rior highest; loreal higher than
wide, in contact with second and
third labials; preocular single,
very high, not in contact with
frontal; supraocular twice as
long as wide; 3 postoculars; tem-
porals ‘+ 3; 8 upper labials,
third, fourth, and fifth enter- Fic. 7. Natrix auriculata (Giinther) ; after
ing eye; seventh, sixth, eighth, ee cai Se aca Sac
fifth, fourth, third, second,
first is the order of size of labials; 9 lower labials, 5 touching
anterior chin shields, which are shorter and broader than poste-
rior; scales in 17 rows, strongly keeled, except outer row, which
90 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
is only faintly keeled; ventrals, 157; anal double ; subcaudals,
72; eye large; body very slender.
Color in life-—Above a dark olivaceous gray, with a lighter,
median, ashy gray stripe, terminating in a spot of the same color
immediately behind the parietal shields; on each side of this
line is a series of dim, elongate, dark spots, immediately below
which is a series of light, ashy gray spots, followed by another
dim series of dark spots below. The markings are not especially
distinct; on the outer edge of the ventrals and extending on the
first row of scales is a milky white line which widens behind the
angle of the jaw; head dark in the parietal region, and somewhat
lighter on the snout; throat, lips, and temporal region dull
whitish, with small dark spots on the labial sutures and a distinct
black spot on the sixth labial; three dark stripes on the belly,
the two outer joining the dark parietal area, crossing the angle
of the jaw; the median ventral black stripe begins on the twen-
tieth ventral, and continues to the tail; these three lines of black
are separated by two white lines formed by continuous series of
triangular white spots; only two black stripes under the tail,
separated by a single light stripe.
Measurements of Natrix auriculata (Giinther).
mm.
Total length 524
Tail 145
Width of head 10
Length of head 14
Variation.—The known range of ventrals and subcaudals is
150 to 158 and 75 to 91, respectively. There is some variation in
the arrangement of the temporals. They usually assume the re-
lation of “+3: the females have a larger average of ventrals
and a smaller average of subcaudals than the males. The type
is a female having 2 preoculars, 2 postoculars, 152 ventrals, and
76 subcaudals.
Remarks.—This species is evidently restricted to the southern
Philippines. It is known from Samar, and from eastern and
southern Mindanao. All the specimens here recorded are from
Agusan River Valley, where it seems to be quite common. It
is the smallest species of Natrix inhabiting our territory.
The specimens in my collection were all taken in the im-
mediate vicinity of water, usually under leaves or logs at the edge
of a small swamp. The species is very well differentiated from
all the other Philippine species of Natriv by its-small size, its
large, blunt head, and the markings on the belly.
NATRIX 9]
TABLE 12.—Measurements and scale counts of Natrix auriculata (Giinther).
\ S| ipeee
| bo : it
| : a ae [es
No. Locality. Collector. 6 to ; 5
Bo) Sg. i Sal sh 8
n =e ee ee
| mm, mm.
ye 216 68! 152
| ye | 201) 87 150
| Q | 455 100) 157
ye | 257) 70 | 161
955 Agusan River, Mindanao __-
956) |-s2=3 (oes ae EEE Eee? ye 180 50 | 150
ca: || Philippines: 502-5252. jeecescese se Pa bee oe eee | 162
PALL See eee ae rel t ec oe |
| | g |) 4a a | | |
. | if a a * a |
cn ie ne ie ae oem a
sf 3 ‘3 3 gq £ z
No. 5 é ah al 3 5 2 Collection.
a a a7 | & ® Q 8 o
| ef teds toe sabe Ne 6B i psec
| 3a | & | @ | 2 ° ial ° 3)
| we | A Be Ree | ooh ia |
46) 88] 2| 346; 8| 9) 9! 8| 47| B.H. Taylor.
47 | 784) "BB 45 8 9 1 3)\\ Viel Do.
48 (b) 21 3,4,6 8| 9 1 Siri gale Do. |
49 82 2\ 34,5 8/ 9 1 3| 17| Do. |
| 350.75 2| 34,6 8 9 1 3) ae Do. |
| |
| 51. 88 2| 3,4,5 8 9 1 Su ray Do. |
| 52) 87| 21 34,5 8 9 1 3) 7 Do.
1726 |.----:| 2{ 38,4,5 | 8 9 | 1 3 17 | Bureau of Science.
| | | i t
a5; a2) 2| 345/ 8/ 9! 1) 8) 27 Do. |
| g6| 84) 2] 345! 8) 9 del) 385]) Pots) _ Dox |
ca 76 | 2 3,4,5 (30 [eee 2 2 17. British Museum. |
a Described. >» Mutilated. © Type.
NATRIX CREBRIPUNCTATA (Wiegmann)
Tropidonotus crebripunctatus WIEGMANN, Nova Acta Ac. Leop.-Carol.
: 17+ (1835) 250; BoULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 262.
Natrix crebripunctata GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 257.
Description of species ——(From Boulenger.) ‘Head short,
very distinct from neck. Eye very large. Rostral broader than
deep, just visible from above; internasals as long as broad, as
long as the prefrontals; frontal once and three fifths as long
as broad, longer than its ‘distance from the end of the snout,
as long as the parietals; loreal as long as deep; two pre- and
three postoculars; temporals 2 + 3; eight to ten upper labials;
(the specimen in the collection has eight on one side, ten on the
other), fourth and fifth, fifth or sixth, or sixth and seventh
entering the eye; four lower labials in contact with the anterior
9? SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
chin-shields, which are shorter than the posterior. Scales in 19
rows, all strongly keeled. Ventrals 148-166; anal divided ; sub-
caudals 96-101.
Color.— ‘Olive above, vertebral line lighter and crossed by
narrow black bars; upper lip yellowish, the shields black-edged
above; belly whitish, with a black dot at the outer end of each
shield; posterior ventrals brown on the sides; subcaudals en-
tirely brown.”
Measurements of Natrix crebripunctata (Wiegmann).
mm.
Total length 680
Tail 230
Remarks.—I have been unable to find this species, and there
are no specimens in the collections which I have studied. There
is a single specimen in the British Museum collection from the
Philippines collected by Cuming. Boettger has placed this spe-
cies as a synonym of Natria spilogaster (Boie).*
NATRIX LINEATA (Peters)
PLATE 4, FIGS. 6 AND 7; PLATE 5
Tropidonotus lineatus PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 686; BOULENGER,
Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1898) 262; BorrTcer, Ber. Senck. Nat.
Ges. (1886) 109.
Natrix lineata GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 257.
Description of species—(From No. R 34, E. H. Taylor col-
lection; collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao, March 15,
1913, by E. H. Taylor.) (Adult male.) Rostral much wider
than high, not visible from above; internasals a little longer
than wide, bent downward in front to meet rostral, their sutures
with surrounding scales subequal; prefrontal a little broader
than long, nearly three times the size of internasals, forming
its shortest suture with supraocular, its longest suture with
its fellow; frontal one-fifth longer than wide, longer than its
distance from end of snout, nearly equal in length to width
of parietal; parietals large, in contact with 2 postoculars,
longer than frontal, but shorter than their distance from end
of snout; nasal divided, posterior portion highest; ee
squarish, little more Boa half as high as posterior nasal; 2 pre-
iat ees eueneet that ee ec eaaneniea Wiegmann is andeea N.
spilogaster. I believe further that Boulenger’s species of this name is a
distinct species.
NATRIX 93
oculars (1 on left side), both in contact with loreal; supra-
ocular as long as frontal, about half as wide; 3 postoculars;
temporals 1 + 2; upper labials 8 (9 on right side), third, fourth,
and fifth (fourth, fifth, and sixth on left side) entering eye;
seventh, sixth, and fifth largest in the order named; 9 lower
labials, 4 in contact with first pair of chin shields (5 in all the
other specimens); 2 pairs of chin shields, second longest and
narrowest; scales in 19 rows, keeled strongly, except outer row,
which is less strongly keeled than the others; ventrals, rounded,
138; anal double; subcaudals, 71; eye moderate, its diameter
not equal to its distance from nostril; head narrowed in front,
and noticeably broadened in temporal region.
Color in lufe-—Above bluish black, head dark brown with
a milk-white stripe from rostral across upper part of labials,
continuing backward and downward to where it reaches eighth
ventral scale; lower part of upper labials dark; lower labials
spotted with dark; chin shields immaculate creamy yellow; bellv
same color, with a zigzag subcaudal line to end of tail.
Measurements of Natrix lineata (Peters).
mm.
Total length 625
Tail 159
Variation.—Table 13 shows the scale counts on a series of spec-
imens collected in the same locality as the type. The variation
in the ventral count is from 132 to 142; in the subcaudal count,
64 to 71. The most variable elements are the upper labials and
the preoculars; there is a tendency for the third labial to split
and in consequence the number of labials entering the orbit
varies; 8 is the predominant number of upper labials; 2 is the
predominant number of the preoculars.
Markings on the back are evident in the younger specimens.
In No. 32 (E. H. Taylor collection) the head is a distinct brown
with a broad semicircular dark area on the occipital region
followed by a milk-white collar which joins the two labial lines;
behind this is a transverse dark olive band, then another lighter
olive band, broader than the former, and still another narrow
black band, and a second light olive band, after which the dark
color breaks up into a network, the limits of the meshes being
marked with a larger dark spot. The ground color is light
olive brown; this specimen shows a powdering of brown on
each ventral, with the subcaudal region very dark.
94 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
TABLE 13.—Measurements and scale counts of Natrix lineata (Peters).
|
bo pales a
| i < | rie ee
No. Locality. | Collector. iB BI a | a
| | 4 5 = = a
| v o | ‘a a 3
Be \ oe) er he en
| 1TAS} eRe ose case see tee OU Wel geen Quemcent panei y es fee ede ered eee
| a0 14266
ites | | | ls | iain na
| | at | eet ie D . (os .
| [e) aie a |) ay) alge eo
Nope) 4 3 5 el | na | SP BO i oe Collection.
| | 2 | 8 | 8 | 8s] oe] BL | & lage o |
f of ee ee ee | ee | a eee
< jm ua Pp A 4 BH i un
| 29 | 2 | 21} 3 8) t0!'3,4,.5'i+2] 6! 19] BH Taylor. |
| 14,6
so) 2 2 3 | Bi dO \i+e 5 19 Do.
| Pr, |
a| 2| 2) 3 a | 10/34,5/14+2!) 5] 19 Do.
zz} 2! 2| 3| 8] wja46l/ite! 5/ 19 Do.
| | |
} 33} 2) 11 3) 89 | 10 iF a Vita | 6) 19 Do
| s¢| 2] 1) 3] 98] 9 {ag 3 ite) 4) 19 Do
| 35 2 Dh a) 38 eects. 5 619 Do.
| 36] 2] 12) 8 9 10 4,5,6 142 5| 19 Do.
| 1714 | 2 2 3 | 89) 10) 46 | 142 5) 19 Do.
im5| 2| 2| 3| 8) 920/3,4,5|1+2 4| 19 Do.
lame} 2| 2] 3| 9! 10 45,6, 142 5}; 19 Do.
| 1717 | 2; 2) 8) 9| 9/456) 142 5| 19 Do.
| im3| 2} 2] 3 8| 9. 3,4,5|142 5 19 Do. |
| (b) | 2 | 2 | 3 Ch eee eras \i+e eee 19 Berlin Museum. i
| | » 4, | |
" Mutilated. " Type.
Remarks.—This species, according to Boulenger,* is closely
allied to Natria crebripunctata (Wiegmann). There is however,
but a single anterior temporal in N. lineata, which character is
constant in the series of thirteen specimens. There is a very
much lower average of ventrals and subcaudals. The markings,
too, would seem to distinguish it. There are no vertebral lines
* Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1898) 262.
NATRIX 95
apparent on the body, even in the young. The widening of the
head in the temporal region is very characteristic, especially in
older specimens. A female contained five undeveloped eggs.
All the specimens were found in damp situations, usually under
leaves and trash along the edge of a small swamp. It is com-
mon at Bunawan.
NATRIX DENDROPHIOPS Giinther
This species appears to have two distinct forms in the Phil-
ippines, the typical form from Mindanao, and the second, from
Negros. They are distinguished as follows:
Key to the subspecies of Natrix dendrophiops Giinther.
a. Scales*in 17 TowS...2. esc tesa cs. N. d. dendrophiops (Giinther) (p. 95).
a7s Scales-in, 19 VOWS: <3) ee eee N. d. negrosensis Taylor (p. 97).
NATRIX DENDROPHIOPS DENDROPHIOPS (Giinther)
Tropidonotus dendrophiops GUNTHER, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. V
11 (1883) 136, fig.; BouLENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893)
264; BorETTcER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 109.
?Tropidonotus hypomelas MULLER, Verh. Nat. Ges. Basel. 1885)
286; III. Nacht. Cat. Herp. Samml. Basel Mus. (18838) 15.
Natrix dendrophiops GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 257.
Description of species—(From No. 60, E. H. Taylor col-
lection; collected at Bunawan; Agusan, Mindanao, September
15, 1913, by E. H. Taylor.) (Adult male.) Rostral large,
twice as wide as high, forming its longest suture with nasal,
only slightly visible from above; internasals longer than broad,
the suture between them equal to prefrontal suture; prefrontals
very wide, bending down on sides at a rather sharp angle;
frontal longer than its distance from end of snout, not as long
as parietals or supraoculars, and not twice as wide as supra-
oculars, the anterior edge forming nearly a straight line; parie-
tals moderate, longer than broad, in contact with upper post-
ocular and 1 or 2 temporals; scales bordering parietals behind
numerous, small; nostrils pierced between 2 nasals, the posterior
larger and higher; prefrontals appear to enter nostrils above;
loreal not as high as nasals, in contact with both preoculars, its
upper edge curving; 2 preoculars, lower in contact with 2 labials,
upper separated from frontal; 3 postoculars, upper largest;
temporals : + 3; 9 upper labials, 8 on left side where seventh
and eighth are fused into a single scale; fourth, fifth, and sixth
enter eye; labials arranged in the following order of size: sev-
enth, ninth, eighth, sixth, fourth, fifth, third, second, first; 10
lower labials, 5 touching chin shields; mental broadly triangular;
96 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
second pair of chin shields longer and narrower than first pair,
separated throughout their length; scales in 17 rows, all strongly
keeled, median rows very small, outer large; ventrals, 154,
rounded; anal double; subcaudals divided, 98; eye very large,
its diameter nearly equal to its distance from end of snout;
body rather slender; tail very slender.
Color in life-—Olivaceous above, tinged more or less with
pinkish, with three rows of blackish irregular spots, one me-
dian dorsal, the other two lateral; these are separated by two
rows of pinkish yellow, black-edged spots, continuing full length
of body; the black and yellow spots form an irregular transverse
row; neck is banded with dark blackish and lighter olivaceous
bands; head above brownish gray, lighter on snout, sides of
snout brownish yellow; upper labials yellowish with a few spots
anteriorly; lower rim of orbit dark; a short black line behind
eye; lower labials cream yellow, with spots on edge of sixth;
the lateral! dark spots extend to ventrals; there are one or two
rows of black, elongate spots on ventrals, but these do not form
continuous lines; the anterior part of each ventral with numerous
small flecks of black; under the last half of belly there is a more
or less continuous median dark line to anus; subcaudally almost
black; scales narrowly edged with lighter.
Measurements of Natrix dendrophiops dendrophiops (Gitinther).
mm.
Total length 7196
Tail 240
Width of head 18
Length of head 24
Variation.—The ventrals and subcaudals vary between 154
and 157 and 94 and 100, respectively; the postoculars, between
2 and 3, the larger percentage having 3. No. 58 (E. H. Taylor
collection) has a single prefrontal on one side only. In the
young specimens the markings are more clearly defined. There
are a broad blackish bar on the neck and one or two other broad
bands behind this. The markings resolve themselves into a
large series of narrow, transverse, blackish bands, interrupted
laterally by white dots. The type measures 900 millimeters in
length and is much larger than any specimen that I have
examined.
Remarks.—This snake feeds on frogs and is usually found
not far from water. Five of the six specimens I collected were
taken under logs. Known only from Zamboanga, southwestern
Mindanao, and Bunawan in the upper Agusan Valley.
NATRIX 97
TABLE 14.—Measurements and scale counts of Natrix dendrophiops
dendrophiops (Giinther).
|
4,5,6) 17 | E. H. Taylor
2
No. Locality. 3
& >
mm. |
56 (a) | 165
57 90 | 154
58 | (s) | 156
59 ae 150 | 155
HE GOg eed s Pens stee ct ns rape Rey ts VAY CEE Se WE a | 240 | 154 |
AQIS As edowee eet sie (nie hs ao ees nd Soe | (8) eens |
ca Zamboanga------.------------------- --- | 270 | 157 |
—= a poerre eee - a = =~ Shee ; |
4 = 3 | Sa a
é pees ra eee tees 2 ;
| nee g é g | 8 | 3 | & cy | = Collection.
Ss, e) el 2/ 8 \ble |4
n < a | & PDP | 4 | | a
| |
| +5, Do.
58 (a) | 2} 12) 2/108! 30! 46,6, 17 Do
59) (a) 2! | 3/ 9 10| 45.6 it! Do
bo 98 = 2} 2B) 9B) 10) 45,6! IT! Do.
M13...) 2) 2 8) 9 | 10 | 4,5,6| 17 Bureau of Science.
ea 100! 2) 12) gl Uren 45,6, 17 British Museum. |
Sti keane v ree Sys eee eee |
* Mutilated. » Described. « Type.
NATRIX DENDROPHIOPS NEGROSENSIS Taylor
Natrix dendrophiops negrosensis TAYLOR, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12
(1917) 356.
Description of speciés.— (From the type, No. 128, E. H. Taylor
collection ; collected on Canlaon Volcano, Occidental Negros, by E.
H. Taylor.) Rostral fairly large, nearly twice as wide as high.
upper edge curved and distinctly visible from above, its sutures
with nasals little longer than those with internasals; the latter
longer than broad, the suture between them equal to their su-
tures with prefrontals, which are less than the suture with na-
sals; prefrontals much broader than long, narrowed on sides,
forming coequal sutures with internasal and frontal, their short-
est suture with supraocular ; frontal longer than broad, wider, but
not as long as supraoculars, somewhat shield-shaped, longer than
its distance from end of sneut, shorter than parietals; the latter
longer than broad, bordered laterally by 2 elongate temporals,
in contact with only 1 postocular ; nostril between 2 nasals, which
161465——7
98 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
differ greatly in shape but are of nearly equal size; loreal nearly
square, touching second and third labials; 1 elongate preocular,
twice as high as wide, and wider at top than at bottom, semi-
divided; 3 small postoculars (4 on right side) ; temporals 2 + 3;
fourth, fifth, and sixth labials entering eye; mental broadly
triangular; 10 lower labials, sixth and seventh largest; first 5
in contact with first chin shield, which is noticeably shorter than
second; 19 rows of scales, the outer largest, faintly keeled, all
the others strongly keeled; scales with 2 apical pits easily dis-
cernible; anal divided; ventrals, 164; subcaudals, 97; eye very
large.
A
i
\\ |
| areas
Fic. 8. Natrix dendrophiops negrosensis Taylor; a, head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral view;
ec, head, ventral view.
Color in life—Reddish brown to olive, with a median series
of dark, more or less distinct spots or bars at intervals of 0.5
centimeter; on sides and forming continuations of the dark dor-
sal bars is a series of dark spots. Below pinkish white with
a series of small, more or less regular black spots on each ven-
tral and subcaudal; bars on neck very much wider than else-
where; top of head brownish olive; labials brownish white with
dark areas between first three; a distinet black line runs from
behind eye to posterior part of eighth supralabial, where it turns
and continues downward to first ventrals; scales on head mi-
nutely edged with black.
OXYRHABDIUM 99
Measurements of the type of Natrix dendrophiops negrosensis Taylor.
mm.
Length 730
Snout to vent 526
Vent to tip of tail 204
Width of head 11
Length of head 20
Diameter of eye ; 5
Variation.—The postoculars show a tendency to increase to
four; one specimen has the third, fourth, and fifth labials en-
tering the eye, and a second specimen shows four labials en-
tering on the right side.
Remarks.—The following characteristics seem to warrant the
separation of this subspecies from typical: Natrix dendrophiops.
There is a tendency to an increase in the number of postoculars
from 3 to 4; there is only a single preocular (specimens of N.
dendrophiops from northern Mindanao have 2 distinct preocu-
lars) ; there is an average of 10 more ventrals; there are con-
stantly 19 instead of 17 rows of scales; the eye is somewhat
smaller; and the loreal is lower.
Genus OXYRHABDIUM Boulenger
Stenognathus (non Chaud.) DUMERIL and BiBRon, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854)
508; JAN, Arch. Zool. Anat. Phys. 2 (1862) 28.
Rhabdosoma, part., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes Brit. Mus. (1858) 10.
Geophis, part., BOETTGER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 106; Casto
DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 425.
Oxyrhabdium BouLENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 302;
GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 258.
Pe)
“Maxillary teeth 30 to 35, small, equal; mandibular teeth
equal. Head not distinct from neck; eye small, with vertically
subelliptic pupil; nostril pierced between two small nasals; a
pair of small internasals; no preeocular; loreal and prefrontal
entering the eye. Body cylindrical; scales smooth, in 15 rows,
without apical pits; ventrals rounded. Tail moderate, subcau-
dals in two rows. Hypapophyses developed throughout the ver-
tebral column.” (Bowulenger.)
Key to the species of Oxyrhabdium Boulenger.
a‘. Eight upper labials, fifth and sixth entering eye; reddish brown above,
yellowish below. Young with yellow collar.
0. modestum (Duméril and Bibron) (p. 100).
a*, Seven upper labials, fourth and fifth entering eye; olive green to darker.
Young black with dim yellowish rings on body........2...00000.002::0::::000000- es
0. leporinum (Giinther) (p. 108).
100 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
The genus is confined to the Philippines. The record of Dumé-
ril and Bibron for Java is doubtless an error.* The first species
appears to be confined to the southern part of Luzon, Samar,
and Mindanao; the second, to northern and central Luzon.
OXYRHABDIUM MODESTUM (Duméril and Bibron)
Stenognathus modestus DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854)
504; Prerers, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 684; JAN, Arch. Zool. Anat.
Phys. 2 (1862) 28; Icon. Gén. (1865) 13, pl. 1, fig. 3. ;
Rhabdosoma leporinum, part., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes Brit. Mus.
(1858) 12; F. MU ier, III. Nacht. Cat. Herp. Samml. Basel Mus.
(1883) 12.
Stenognathus modestus, part., GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London
(1873) 169.
Rhabdosoma modestum, part., GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London
(1879) 77.
Geophis schadenbergi FISCHER, Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg 2 (1885)
93, pl. 8, fig. 4; Borrrcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 106.
Geophis modestus, part., BOETTGER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 106.
Oxyrhabdium modestum BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893)
302; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 258.
Description of species.— (From No. 3, E. H. Taylor collection ;
collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao, August 12, 1913,
by E. H. Taylor.) (Adult female.) Rostral small, higher than
Fic. 9. Oxyrhabdiwn modestum (Duméril and Bibron) ; drawing of a Mindanao specimen ;
a, head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral view; c, head, ventral view; X 2.
wide, scarcely visible from above; internasals small, the suture
between them less than one-third of that between prefrontals;
latter very large, equaling or nearly equaling frontal, four or
five times the size of internasals, broadly entering eye; frontal
nearly twice as long as wide, not twice the width of supra-
* Gtinther, Proc. Zool. Soe. London (1873) 169.
OXYRHABDIUM 101
oculars; parietals longer than frontal, and twice as long as
wide; nostril large, pierced between 2 nasals; loreal three times
as long as wide, narrowly entering eye, in contact with 3 labials;
no preocular, 2 postoculars; temporals 1+.2-+ 3; 8 upper
labials, fifth and sixth entering eye; labials in the following
order of ‘size: eighth, sixth, seventh, fifth, fourth, third, second,
first; mental narrow, subcrescentic; 6 lower labials, fourth
largest, the first 4 in contact with anterior chin shields, which
are very broad and closely juxtaposed and followed by 2 small
pairs of imbricate scales; mental groove very indistinct; eye
small, the diameter less than half the distance from nostril,
the pupil appearing nearly round; head somewhat flattened,
more or less distinct from neck; snout acuminate; ventrals, 177;
anal single; subcaudals, 56; scales in 15 smooth rows, outer
largest, all without apical pits; tail cylindrical.
Color in life-—Above dark iridescent lavender-brown, be-
coming lighter on sides; belly immaculate creamy yellow; top
of head darker, bluish brown to lavender; labials cream color to
yellow; under part of tail a muddy cream, with an indistinct
zigzag line between subeaudals; edges of body scales darker,
giving the appearance of an indistinct network over body.
Measurements of Oxyrhabdium modestum (Duméril and Bibron).
¥ mm.
Total length 579
Snout to vent 480
Tail 99
Variation.—It will be seen from Table 15 that males have
a smaller number of ventrals and a larger number of subcaudals
than females; No. 1 of those listed, although having the average
number of ventrals and subcaudals, has only 7 upper labials,
with the fourth and fifth entering the eye; in this it agrees
‘with Oxyrhabdium leporinum. It has a single postocular, but
in all other respects agrees with the other specimens, and in no
way resembles O. leporinum in color or markings. There is a
tendency toward the fusion of the postoculars, and in five spec-
imeng they are fused on one or both sides. The young have a
yellow collar but no other distinctive markings. I have exam-
ined one specimen (No. R 575) from Camp Gandara, Samar,
which has the following scale formula: Scale rows, 15; ventrals,
164; anal single; subcaudals, 49; length, 410 millimeters. No.
915 has the anal divided, but otherwise agrees with normal
specimens. A single unnumbered specimen in the Santo Tomas
Museum, an adult female containing eggs, is the largest one
102 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
that was examined, and shows certain variation. Its measure-
ments are: Total length, 602 millimeters; tail, 102. The ventrals
number 170, the subcaudals, 54. The loreal fails slightly to
enter the eye and is in contact with 4 labials; the internasals are
greatly reduced. No locality is given.
TABLE 15.—Measurements and scale counts of Oxyrhabdium modestum
(Duméril and Bibron).
7 ! aera
i No | Locality: Collector. | Sex. Loire: Tail. |
jean = | —
| | mm. mm
g 495} 83
| | 2 | 465} 33 |
| Q 579 99
Q@ | 473} 86
Q@ | 847] 60
2 472 10
gc | 430} 88
o 588 | 118
9 477] 84
| 2 445 81
So | 185] 40
g | 479 84
o 320-60
c 360,71
| 9 | 484] 86
| g 445 | 84
g 383) 83
| Revs | Camp Gandara, Samar 2° 410 67
| R916 | Agusan, Mindanao_________________ g 480 85
ae Sub it : Labial
| ub- abials
wo. | Nar] ste | Jak [Bast | Some [Tan Cotection. |
ee Ee eee el i cee eee See ee ae exe =
1 | 176| 57 | 7) 2{ 16] -4,5| EH. Taylor.
2) 12} 55 | 8} 21/ 16 Ret De
gi) ir 56 | 8 2 15) 6,6 Do.
4) 166 56 | 8 1-2 15 5,6 Do.
5 176 58 8 | 2 15 5,6 Do.
6) 179; 53 7-8) 9 2-1 15 | 4,5;5,6| Do
7 169 | 60 8 | 2 15 | 5,6 Do
8 171) 66 8 2 15 5,6 Do
9 178) 56 | 8 | 1} 45 5.6} Do
| 10, 175| 67 go 2) 15 5.6! Do
7} 63 | 8 | 2 15 5,6 Do
2! 176 67 | 8 | 2 15 5,6! Do
13 162 | 60 | 8 | 2 | 15 5,6 Do
| 14/168] ~— 63 | 8 | 2| 15 5,6| Do
| 45 | 74] 63 8) 2) ob Be) Be
16} 176 | 60 | 8 2 15 5.6} Do
7) 168 62 | 8 2 15 5,6 Do.
R575 | 164 49 8 2 15 | 5,6 | Bureau of Science.
R915 | 173 8 2} 16 5, 6 Do.
|
i
OXYRHABDIUM 103
Remarks.—This species has been found only in the Philippine
Islands; the known localities * are Samar, Mindanao, and Di-
nagat. It was especially common at Bunawan; more than fifty
specimens were captured during my collecting there. A few
were found burrowed in the roots of large tree ferns (Asplenium
nidus) but only those in fallen trees. Usually specimens were
found in the forest, under grass and leaves on the ground. These
snakes are very gentle; although I have handled many living
specimens, none has ever attempted to bite. They readily take
food in captivity. The Manobos who are familiar with this
snake appear to have no specific name for it. They do not re-
gard it as poisonous.
OXYRHABDIUM LEPORINUM (Ginther)
Rhabdosoma leporinum, part., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes Brit. Mus.
(1858) 12.
?Stenognathus brevirostris PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1872) 586.
Stenognathus modestus, part., GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London
(1873) 169.
Rhabdosoma modestum, part., GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1879)
77.
?Geophis brevirostris BOoETTGER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 106,
CASTO DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 425.
Oxyrhabdium leporinum BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893)
308; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 258.
Description of species.—(From No. 111, E. H. Taylor col-
lection; collected at Baguio, Benguet, Luzon, June 1, 1915, on
the slopes of Mount Santo Tomas at an elevation of about 2,000
meters, by E. H. Taylor.) (Adult female.) Head obtusely
pointed, with a very small ros-
tral, little higher than wide,
barely visible from above; inter-
nasals small, the suture between
them one-third to one-fourth that
of prefrontals; latter large,
rather narrow, five to six times
the size of internasals, and near-
ly equal to frontal, broadly enter-
: ; _ ing eye and forming its longest
aa el oe es Sosa: suture with loreal, which is a
view; b, head, lateral view. little longer than that formed
between the 2 prefrontals; frontal but little longer than wide,
“o
* Giinther lists Luzon as a known locality, but since he confused the two
species it is not improbable that he referred to O. leporinum.
104 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
nearly three times as wide as supraoculars; parietals large, not
twice as long as frontal; nostril between 2 nasals, the posterior
largest; loreal about five times as long as wide, narrowly en-
tering eye; supraocular narrow, elongate; 2 small postoculars,
upper largest; temporals 1+ 2; 7 labials, fourth and fifth
entering eye; seventh, fourth, fifth, sixth, third, second, first,
is the order of size of the labials; mental very small, subcres-
centic; chin shields very large, closely juxtaposed with a very
indistinct mental groove; chin shields followed by 3 pairs of
imbricate scales; eye dark blue, with a yellow vertical pupil;
head distinct from neck; ventrals, 165; anal undivided; sub-
caudals, 41; scale rows, 15, all smooth.
Color in life—A bright uniform yellow-olive, iridescent
above; head same color but a little darker; labials vellowish,
spotted with brown; below yellow-cream, edges of ventrals
tinged with grayish; dark subcaudally. In alcohol the color
changes to a dull brownish black.
Measurements of Oxyrhabdium leporinum (Ginther).
mm
Total length 685
Snout to vent 592
Tail 93
Head width 12
Head length 25
Variation.—There are one adult and three young specimens
in my collection from Benguet. There is one adult specimen
in the Bureau of Science collection. There is but little variation
evident in the species, save in the ventral and subcaudal counts,
the limits in the former being 164 and 180, and in the latter, 41
and 51. The young are a slaty blue-black, with a whitish nuchal
collar and a series of indistinct bands of white 1 or 2 scales
wide crossing the body in a zigzag manner.
Remarks.—This species seems to be confined to the highlands
of Luzon; it is a rare snake. Two specimens were dug up along
an irrigation ditch, and a third had burrowed under a rock at
an elevation of 2,000 meters on Mount Santo Tomas. The speci-
men here described was found crawling in an open forest path.
This species is of a very gentle disposition. The type was
collected by H. Cuming; the exact type locality is no longer
known. A second specimen in the British Museum is from
Luzon, collected by A. B. Meyer. The types of Stenognathus
CYCLOCORUS 105
brevirostris Peters, a young and an old specimen, are from
“Philippines,” collected by Wallis.*
TABLE 16.—Measurements and scale counts of Oxyrhabdium leporinum
(Giinther) .
No. Locality. Collector. | 4 a ee
es)
| ma =]
Le mee - pees an
| | mm,
111 | Mount Santo Tomas, Benguet____ wal E. H. Taylor___-- ono _..| 685
TDD oe (AG ese se ee oe cee eSuete Severs petra eede || ad 6s none | |
WS 3| Ba guidieacre ens sure 45 secon aodegms sare cececasd| sees OG, cate wet commas ones \
114 | he tee eR dome eenaet SARC ea S|
R1710 | se pen LAB iey oie! sed
(a) SPAT pies en ae oe nese ae o Sn ee i a Ae et | H. Cuming
(BO) dibuzoncas sna st ene 7 lees Oh ae ave eee es ot [WAL BSsMeyersan cee IS tLe eal
(> [Philip pin eseees so 25 esos oe arene fo Weallisisens ts ace he rans | eae | 635
Ik ; ; f
No. : g | Ss a £5 a 3 i Collection.
a|eie e'2 | a la
a | > lan ah wins a | a
mm.
111 93 | 165 | 41 % 2, 15) 4,5 E. H. Taylor.
12| 45) 164! 44 7 2] 15/ 4,5 Do.
} 18 | ©) | Ree Pelee 7] 2) 35] 46 Do.
| 114 44 | 174 46 7 2); 165) 4,6 Do.
| R1710 94 174 3 7 2 15 4,5 Bureau of Science.
| a) 105 | 169 43 WS fee hee | 15 4,5 | British Museum.
CO) | ee ee ee * 180 45 Masons | 15 4,6 Do.
(*) 1085) IIB | Sd SP acca 15 4,5. Berlin.
ae eee ee a= ieee
4 Badly mutilated.
"Type; counts from Boulenger, loc. cit.
© Type of Stenognathus: brevirostris Peters; from Peters.
Genus CYCLOCORUS Duméril and Bibron
Lycodon, part., REINHARDT, Kongl. Danske Vid. Selsk. Afhandl. 10
(1843) 241.
Cyclocorus DUMERIL and BIBRON, Mém. Ac. Sci. 23 (1853) 460; Erp.
Gén. 7 (1854) 385; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes Brit. Mus. (1858)
208; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 95; BouULENGER, Cat. Snakes
Brit. Mus. 1 (1898) 326; BortTcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886)
114.
“Maxillary and dentary bones angularly bent inwards an-
teriorly; three or four anterior teeth, in both jaws, increasing
in size, the last large and fang-like, followed after an interspace
by 12 or 13 small maxillary teeth. Head slightly distinct from
* May represent a distinct species.
106 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
neck; eye rather small, with round pupil. Body moderately
elongate, cylindrical; scales smooth, with apical pits, in 17 rows;
ventrals rounded. Tail moderate; subcaudals single. Hypapo-
physes developed throughout the vertebral column.” (Bou-
lenger.)
This is a Philippine genus having only a single known species,
Cyclocorus lineatus (Reinhardt). This species is rather incon-
spicuous; it attains a length of about half a meter.
CYCLOCORUS LINEATUS (Reinhardt)
Lycodon lineatus REINHARDT, Kongl. Danske Vid. Selsk. Afhandl. 10
(1843) 241, pl. 1, figs. 7-9.
Cyclocorus lineatus DUMERIL and BiproN, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 386;
GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes Brit. Mus. (1858) 208; PETERS, Mon.
Berl. Ak. (1861) 688; JAN, Icon. Gén. (1870) part 36, pl. 6, fig. 2;
MUuer, III. Nacht. Cat. Herp. Samml. Basel Mus. (18838) 17;
BoETTGER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 114; BOULENGER, Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 827; CasTo DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna
Filipinas 1 (1895) 488; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 5 (1910)
211; § D 6 (1911) 258; TAyLor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917)
359; § D 13 (1918) 260.
Description of species —(From No. 144, E. H. Taylor col-
lection; collected on Canlaon Volcano, Occidental Negros, De-
cember 27, 1914, elevation about 900 meters, by E. H. Taylor.)
(Adult male.) Rostral twice as wide as high, slightly visible
from above; internasals small, less than half as large as pre-
frontals, more or less rectangular in shape; prefrontal forming
its largest sutures with frontal; supraocular and loreal sutures
smallest; frontal chevron-shaped, more than twice as long as
wide, longer than its distance from end of snout; parietals large,
not as long as frontal and prefrontals together, but longer than
the former; supraocular not twice as long as wide; nostril be-
tween 2 nasals, anterior largest and nearly surrounding nostril;
posterior nasal moderate, with a depression on its surface; loreal
small, pentagonal, forming its longest suture with second labial;
2 preoculars, superior more than twice as large ag inferior; 2
subequal postoculars; temporals 2 + 2 + 2, third superior being
much the largest; 8 upper labials, third to fifth entering eye,
seventh, eighth, fifth, and sixth largest, in the order named;
8 lower labials, fourth largest, last 2 small: mental an equilat-
eral triangle; 4 labials in contact with anterior chin shields,
which are nearly equal in length to posterior pair; latter pair
separated from ventrals by 2 rows of small scales; ventrals, 146;
anal single; subcaudals, 52; scales in 17 rows, all smooth with
apical pits.
CYCLOCORUS 107
Color in life-—Bluish brown above with three darker lines
beginning near the head and continuing to end of tail; these are
scarcely visible anteriorly; each line incloses a series of small,
dim, whitish yellow dots; ventrals with a heavy brownish line,
extending the length of body; a small whitish dot on end of each
ventral, but not continuing on subcaudals; scattered triangular
black spots on ventrals; head markings more or less indistinct,
regular; labials lighter with a dull stripe below eye, the lighter
part edged with darker ; chin and throat dark with cream yellow
spots; lower labials with distinct yellow spots.
Measurements of Cyclocorus lineatus (Reinhardt).
mm.
Total length 440
Snout to vent 341
Tail 99
Width of head 13
Length of head 21
Variation.—There is much variation in certain scale elements
in this species and it appears to be associated with geographical
distribution. The Mindanao forms vary uniformly in scale
count from Negros or Luzon specimens, and might be regarded
as worthy of subspecific rank. Specimens from Samar and
Leyte or southern Luzon would probably connect the various
forms. Table 17 shows the differences that exist between the
southern and the northern groups. There is a marked differ-
ence between the tail length of the Mindanao and the tail length
of the northern specimens, especially in the males, the average
being about 16 millimeters. The Mindanao specimens average
TABLE 17.—Average measurements and scale counts of Cyclocorus lineatus
(Reinhardt).
———— =— — : —— =.So=
Average. |
| |
Locality. | Number and sex. , a cI |
s 3 3 |
| fa) | a > n |
| | mm. | mm. |
Mindanao. 3-62-4335. 522s | 12 males of nearly equal size_| 440 S721 eee ae seaes| Rees eraser |
Various northern localities__| 14 males of nearly equal size_} 438 1 eee erate oss
Mindanao: . 322255225 ee | 8 females of nearly equal size _ 460 91 loetecrzes etalon cs
Various northern localities__/ 6 females of nearly equal size _ 480 93 | Ee Rane ees
Mindanao® 225-3222. 4 <2 4Smalest=.<. 62-6 ee cece es eee Ieee ecee 130 54
Is ierD) osaeas Beek ues oe esr 18 femipleg setts ed eee BeSeaeess } 142 47
Various northern localities__| L6wmal CBs se Jee eae edacea en ate senaee y=] 145 52
Dow aasceynansee eyes se | females. =. asa fase fener | 150 44 |
108 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
15 ventrals less for the males, and 8 ventrals less for the females,
while the number of subcaudals in the Mindanao forms is higher
in both cases. The range of ventrals for the species is 128 to
157; of subcaudals, 37 to 59. The temporal scales in the Min-
danao specimens are normally 1 + 2. Of thirty-one specimens
examined twenty-four had the normal arrangement; five had the
number on one side only, and two had 2 + 2, which is the normal
formula in the northern specimens. The loreal in northern
forms is constantly larger, as is the superior preocular which ex-
tends well above the loreal; the number of lower labials touching
the anterior chin shields averages one less in Mindanao speci-
mens. The same variations of color are found in both groups.
The color in young specimens varies considerably from that
in the adult. The median dark stripe is distinct, going forward
to between the eyes where the interorbital bar intersects it;
another bar of dark brown crosses it in the occipital region; on
TABLE 18.—Measurements and scale counts of Cyclocorus lineatus
(Reinhardt).
| | | | : | |
| No. Locality. Collector. 3 |
| Fi bo .
| mm. mm,
+ | 376) 105 |
418 123 |
| 423 102 |
9 | 2aT7! 58 |
| 9 384!) 79 |
| 427 | 117 |
368 (a) |
9 865 8B
143 433 | 101 |
144 440 99 |
145 g 368 82
147 ? 363 60 |
| 149 : 425. 70 |
161 |. 396 90 |
) 188 427 96. |
155 : 338 74
| 158 erat, MO 385 79
| 159 | shear: & oon Noonan ocean o $72 79 |
| 810 o.} Ov@amonizade’sa:ss:asecescen ce.) 19 525 101 |
; 809... EPATIEG (ete RORY IE TEIN CNOA 440 85 |
| 1483 | Marine Biological Expedition... 47192
323) Sumagui, Mindoro EO Shgesiee. (Glas Bur kis sects ction ninth sets 3860 (a)
| 240 i, ce id Ooo ae cas on ase Seat aeeeess : GiGxk Swan a0 ee re es Shed ‘ 420 114 |
BODieernc a O1 ee late ate Ree a Rites’ Sale SOO eee tes et te coe eee erga ; 465 112 |
rs |
® Mutilated.
CYCLOCORUS 109
TABLE 18.—Measurements and scale counts of Cyclocorus lineatus
(Reinhardt) —Continued.
|
|
|
|
| gig ee S|
| a a fa £ 2 SD) y eo |
a| 3 g| 8/3) %,/88| | 3
No. FA FY . PI 5 Le Ar | 2a is 5 Collection.
Bs] 5 a 8 S v BY ‘Be ® a
| i=] Q g od @ a Q so | € |
o } & B ° a a as U oO |
Berd coll mt ('] ape |) caged sian a n a |
: SS ee eee —
70 132 58 | 1 2 2 8 3,4,5 4 17, 242.) E.H. Taylor. |
71) 128) «57 1 2 2! 8) 8,4,5 3) 17| 142 Do. |
72 18146 1 2 2}; 8/346) 4] I7| 142] Do |
| 73 13947 1 2 2 8 3,4,5 3| 17! 142 Do |
| 14/189) 46 1 2 2 8 3,4,5 3) 17, 142 Do
15 129 (56 1 2 2 8 | 3,4,5 3| 17| 1+2 Do
| 76, 130 (a) 1 2 2 8 34,5 3 17) 142) Do
| om ut 48 1 2 2 8 34,5 4) 17] 2+2 Do
| 143 146 BL 1 2 2 8/345} 4] 17} 242 Do
144-146 siBD 1 2 2 8 3,4,5 43) AT | Qebe Do
145 14348 1 2 2 8 3,4,5 4] 17) 2te Do
147-157, 89 1 2 2 8 34,5 4) 17| 2+2 Do
| 449-151! 40 1 2 2 8 34,5 55 17) 242 Do
| 161 145) 49 1 2 2 8 34,5 45° 17 242 Do
153 «145 i 2 2 8 34,5 4: 17) 242 Do
155 14952 1 2 2 8 34,5 4, 17} 242 Do
158 154387 1 2 i) 2 8 | 3.4.5 4) 19 | sgh Do
19) 146) 49/ 1) 2! 2! 8/345) 45 a7\f it? Do
| | | | 2+2 Do
810 163, 47 2; 2) 8) 34,5 | 45} 17 | 2+2 Bureau of Science.
go9| 161) 44 Q) Bl os) sel 4 | 17] 242} Do.
1483 | 149] 43 b 2 2) 8|3,4,5 4) 17 24+2 > Do.
| | | | | |
323/ 143 (a) 1) 2) 2) hee ‘| 4) 17 242. BE. H. Taylor.
| | | 13,4,5 |) |
g24/ 146) 69; 1; 2! 2) 812,46] 6] 17) 2+2 Do.
| } | 4
825) 145 63) 1 2} 2! 818,45! 65] a7] 2+2 Do.
4 Mutilated.
either side of this are broad light lines, bordered below by a
row of minute white spots edged with black; below this the color
is darker brown; on either side of the ventrals is a row of small
whitish dots as well as the large triangular black spots.
Remarks.—The species is not rare and is probably found in
all the larger islands of the Philippines, with the exception of the
Palawan group, where IJ suspect it is wanting. On Mount Can-
laon, Occidental Negros, and in Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao,
it appeared to be very common. Specimens are known from
several localities in Mindanao, Negros, and Mindoro and from
Luzon, Masbate, and Lubang Islands. The most northern record
is Ifugao, Mountain Province, Luzon; the most southern, Zam-
boanga. The species is confined to the Philippines.
On Canlaon Volcano several of the specimens taken contained
remains of small Pseudorhabdium mcnamare or Calamaria ger-
110 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
vaisii iridescens, which they would disgorge when captured.
The female lays five or six eggs which are about 2 centimeters
long when newly laid. These are placed usually under a log.
On one occasion a set of eggs was obtained from the interior of
a small ant hill at the base of a tree; when opened the eggs were
found to contain embryos almost completely developed.
The snake is small and inconspicuous and in consequence is
not readily recognized as distinct by the Filipinos who class it
with certain other snakes to which is applied the name ahas na
tulog (sleeping snake) ; this is scarcely appropriate, as the snake
is very active and quick to take offense. The Manobos of Min-
danao regard it as the young of the black and yellow cobra,
Naja samarensis, which they call haguason,; the Ifugaos of
northern Luzon regard it as a deadly snake, and manifest great
fear of it. The wound made by the bite is rather painful due to
the enlarged front teeth. Needless to say, it has no poison.
The species can be readily recognized by the single row of
subcaudals, and the triangular black spots on the belly.
a
HOMALOPSIN 42
Nostrils valvular, on upper surface of snout; dentition well
developed; hypapophyses developed throughout vertebral col-
umn; grooved fangs in posterior part of mouth. Aquatic
snakes, giving birth to their young. More or less poisonous, but
not dangerous.
This subfamily is confined to eastern Asia, Malaysia, and the
Papua-Australian region. It contains about ten genera, most
of which contain only single species. Only Hurria and Fordonia
are positively known to occur in the Philippines. Gerardia has
been frequently included in Philippine faunal lists on the author-
ity of Duméril and Bibron, who report Gerardia prevostiana
Eydoux and Gervais from Manila. The specimen so reported
very probably originated in Ceylon, or on the Indian coast.
Key to the Philippine genera of the Homalopsine.
a’. Nasals in contact; scales keeled............ i . Hurria Daudin (p. 110).
a’. Nasals separated by an internasal; scales smooth.
Fordonia Gray (p. 115).
Genus HURRIA Daudin
Hydrus, part., SCHNEIDER, Syst. Amph. 1 (1799) 283.
Hurria DAUDIN, Bull. Soc. Philom. Paris 3 (1803) 187; STEJNEGER,
Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 304.
HURRIA 111
Hurria FISCHER, Zoognosia ed. 8, 1 (1818) 65.
Hurrianus RAFINESQUE, Anal. Nat. (1815) 77.
Strephon GOLDFUSZ, Handb. Zool. 2 (1820) 151.
Cerberus CUVIER, Reg. Anim. 2d ed. 2 (1829) 81; Gray, Zool. Misc.
(1842) 64; Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 68; DUMERIL and BIBRON,
Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 977; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 278;
BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 3874; Cat. Snakes
Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 15; Borrrcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886)
110; CAsTo DE Evera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 431.
“Maxillary teeth 12 to 17, followed, after a very short inter-
space, by two slightly enlarged, grooved teeth; anterior mandib-
ular teeth longest. Head small, not very distinct from neck;
eye small, with vertically elliptic pupil; snout covered with
shields; parietal shields more or less broken up into scales;
nasals in contact behind the rostral, semidivided, the cleft ex-
tending from the nostril to the first or second labial; two inter-
nasals (rarely united) ; loreal present. Body cylindrical; scales
striated and keeled, without pits, in 23 to 29 rows; ventrals
rounded. Tail moderate, slightly compressed; subcaudals in
two rows.” (Boulenger.)
Two species are found in the Philippines, the widely distri-
buted Hurria rynchops (Schneider) and the rare Hurria mi-
crolepis (Boulenger) ; the latter appears to be confined to the
Philippines.
Key to the Philippine species of Hurria Daudin.
a. Four lower labials touching first chin shields; scales in 23 to
27 rows; strongly keeled; ventrals, 132 to 160.
H. rynchops (Schneider) (p. 111).
a’. Three lower labials touching first chin shields; scales in 29 rows,
feebly keeled; ventrals, 163 to 165.. H. microlepis (Boulenger) (p. 114)
These snakes are more aquatic than terrestrial in habits.
They are somewhat poisonous, but certainly not deadly poi-
sonous to man.
HURRIA RYNCHOPS (Schneider)
Hydrus rynchops SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 1 (1799) 246.
Elaps boxformis SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 2 (1801) 301.
Hydrus cinereus SHAW, Gen. Zool. 3 (1802) 567.
Hurria schneideriana DAUDIN, Nat. Hist. Rept. 5 (1803) 281.
Hurria bilineata DAupIN, Nat. Hist. Rept. 5 (1803) 284.
Coluber cerebus DAuDIN, Nat. Hist. Rept. 7 (1803) 167.
Homalopsis cerberus FITZINGER, Neue Class. Rept. (1826) 55.
Python elapiformis MEeRREM, Tent. Syst. Amph. (1820) 89.
Python rhynchops MERREM, Tent. Syst. Amph. (1820) S0.
Cerberus rhynchops GUNTHFR, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 279; Proc.
Zool. Soc. London (1879) 78; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept.
(1890) 874; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 16; BorrTcEr, Ber.
Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 110.
112 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
2
Cerberus cinereus CANTOR, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1839) 54;
Gray, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 64.
Cerberus acutus GRAY, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 65.
Cerberus unicolor GRAY, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 65.
. Cerberus boxformis PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 687.
Homalopsis boxformis JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1868) 77.
Hurria rynchops STEJNEGER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 304,
Hurria rynchops GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 599;
§ D5 (1910) 218; § D 6 (1911) 263; TaAyLor, Philip. Journ. Sci.
§ D 12 (1917) 364.
Description of species.—(From No. 663, E. H. Taylor col-
lection; collected at Hinigaran, Occidental Negros, February
19, 1914, by E. H. Taylor.) (Adult female.) Rostral pentago-
nal, wider than high; a pair of large, irregular nasals im-
mediately behind rostral and separating it from internasals;
nostrils half-moon-shaped provided with valves, situated near
back part of nasal scales, with a small suture running down to
edge of each scale and partly dividing it; 2 small triangular
internasals, somewhat unequal, followed by prefrontals, latter
twice the size of internasals; frontal broken into 2 large and
several small scales; parietals broken into nu. erous small scales;
preocular elongate and fused below eye with second postocular,
separating labials from eye; loreal lozenge-suaped, touching in-
ternasal; temporals not distinguishable from parietals or body
scales; 11 supralabials, vertically elongate, seventh, eighth, and
sixth largest in the order named, first very much elongate, sep-
arating second labial from nasal; on the right side first labial
is broken into two parts; above last 3 labials is a much enlarged
scale; mental narrow, triangular ; 12 lower labials, seventh, sixth,
and fifth largest in the order named; last lower labials are very
small and scarcely differentiated; 4 labials touching first pair
cf chin shields; second pair of chin shields almost entirely be-
tween first pair and labials; 25 scale rows, all strongly keeled
except the 3 outer; ventrals, 156; anal divided; subcaudals, 66
pairs; head slender, with neck slightly constricted; body short
and thick, more than twice as wide as head in its widest part;
all the scales show very fine but distinct striations; scales on
head imbricate.
Color in ife—Above drab to ashy gray, with about fifty nar-
row, irregular, broken bars across body, not reaching ventrals
laterally; an indistinct light stripe running from snout across
upper labials, following the three outer scale rows, and not
crossed by dark bars; lower and upper labials with dusky spots;
dark stripe begins behind eye and continues to some distance
HURRIA 113
on neck; a narrow three-armed spot on occipital region; throat
dirty whitish; anterior part of ventral surface mottled with
large, irregular mottlings, which grow more numerous through
midcle and back part of body; ventral surface of caudal region
almust black; head dark, similar to body.
Measurements of Hurria rynchops (Schneider).
mm.
Total length 670
Snout to vent 525
Tail 145
Variation.—Stejneger gives the following limits of variation
in scale counts: Scale rows, 23 to 27; ventrals, 132 to 160;
subcaudals, 49 to 72. In thirty-three specimens I examined the
ventrals range from 140 to 165, the average being 157. In four
specimens there are more than 160, in two, less than 150. Sub-
caudals range from 51 to 68, the average being 58. Scale rows
around body vary between 23 and 27; only one specimen, the
largest examined, has 27 rows. The posterior labial in all the
specimens is small: and scarcely distinguishable; frequently the
anterior upper | vials are broken across the top, while the
posterior upper labials are broken across the bottom.
The specimens .ary considerably in markings, some being dull
lead color with dim darker marblings, while others are light
brown with distinct spots or bars. The markings in the young
are distinct.
TABLE 19.—Measurements and scale counts of Hurria rynchops (Schneider.)
|
| I cccel bapeee. | ASub=
No. Locality. Collector. Sex. |Length.' Tail. Raa eau
| als.
: | mm, | mm
502 | Bantayan____.___..._.----_-- L. E. Griffin .____- 2 855, | 135 156 60
606 |... 2 Eine eee eee ee Bet orate tere Oi erences c 135 | 138 162 60
BOT! Bad Osean goatee va enatbes Dl wen sced ene co 730) 145 160 68
509 |... rie Se tiaras We cet aiid estore damier t ) 770 | 135] 151] 64
oS Ree Te eee arena? aeere: Wee ne Wis sca c sens c 785 157 160 58
BIB aoe {AG sphere Golsec swe s 815 152) 165 58 |
16: [L223 dO Pete ee Seer cer Eee Gor kak pen cs 782, 158| 159 60 |
BIB jen <9 Wo aso ees se se re doves pase ol 670 | 130 | 158 59
Pele een thee Sento ke, ee See lls ee aieeeeececrers So |} 750) 165, 155] 68
BADE Sees Oca thn en Pall ed sees doe ean S70 630 | 120 159 59
522 |___.- (3s eset eet yy eRe arenes [er Ones eee dl 2 790! 130 159 51
B23) ene 3 do: soencraey one Bo bee ee doen esues) w ol 695 | 138} 168 60 |
629/52 doe. 3h hones cee ened od es Likes 5 See led cs 715 120 154 | a61
530 |.---- eee ne eaten! (BAER st yameeeeeente|| ncn | 152} 168) 61
Manilaicn-28:oeorec es eee ow | M. Ligaya .__.___- | ? 960 | 170 | 150 56
® Mutilated.
161465——8
114 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
TABLE 19.—Measurements and scale counts of Hurria rynchops
(Schneider) —Continued.
| | Labials. | |
| Saree eae ee ee |
| No. | Seale | “Touch | ere eee
Upper. Lower. | en | |
‘shields. |
602 24 11 13 | 4) Yes | Bureau of Science.
506 23 ll 14 Do. |
507 23 10 13 | Do. |
509 25 li 14 | Do. |
510 23 | 10-11 13 | Do.
512 23 ll 13 | Do. |
515 24! 11-10 | 1B Do. |
518 23 | 10-11) 11-12] il Messi : | Do.
520 23) 9-11 13 Do. |
521 24 ll 13 Do. |
622 23 el pee Do. |
523 23 10 12 Do. |
529 25 u 13 Do.
530 23 1 12 Do.
fae lard 27| 18-12 | 14-14 | Do.
> Injured.
Remarks.—This widely distributed snake is found from India
to the Pelew Islands, occurring in Ceylon, Malay Peninsula, the
East Indies, and the Moluccas. In the Philippines it has been
reported from Luzon, Mindanao, Palawan, Negros, Bantayan,
Cuyo, and Polillo,
HURRIA MICROLEPIS (Boulenger)
PLATE 6, FIGS. 1 To 3
Cerberus cinereus, part., GRAY, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 64.
Cerberus microlepis BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 18,
pl. 2, fig. 2.
Description of species——(From Boulenger.) “Closely allied
to [Cerberus] rhynchops, but only three (exceptionally four)
lower labials in contact with the anterior chin-shields;: loreal
not touching the internasal; scales much smaller, in 29 rows,
rather feebly keeled; and ventrals more numerous, 163-165.
Dark olive above, with darker spots; a dark streak on each side
of the head, passing through the eye; yellowish beneath, much
spotted or marbled with blackish.
“Total length 660 millim.; tail 120.”
Remarks.—The types were collected by H. Cuming; the exact
localities are no longer known. Griffin reports a specimen of
this species from Camiguin, Babuyan Islands. As the specimen
FORDONIA 115
consists of only a head I am uncertain whether the identification
is correct. Only three lower labials touch the first chin shields.
Genus FORDONIA Gray
Homalopsis, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 332.
Fordonia GRAY, Zool. Mise. (1842) 67; Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 76;
GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 277; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit.
India, Rept. (1890) 378; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 21.
Hemiodontus DUMERIL and BiBRON, Mém. Ac. Sci. 23 (1853) 494;
Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 882.
Hemiodontus, part., JAN, Arch. Zool. Anat. Phys. 3 (1865) 263.
Maxillary teeth small, 7 or 8, followed by 2 enlarged grooved
teeth. Mandibular teeth subequal. Head depressed, short,
broad, scarcely distinct from neck; body stout, cylindrical; tail
short. Eye very small, pupil vertical; upper surface of head
with large shields; nostril pointing up in a single nasal; an
internasal separating nasals, no loreal; 5 upper labials; body
cylindrical, scales smooth without apical pits; ventrals rounded;
tail short; subcaudals all or part in 2 rows.
FORDONIA LEUCOBALIA (Schlegel)
Homalopsis leucobalia SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 345, pl. 13,
figs. 8 and 9; SCHLEGEL and MULLER, Verh. Nat. Nederl. Overz.
Bezitt., Rept. (1844) 61, pl. 8; CANToR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847)
102, pl. 40, fig. 5 var.
Fordonia leucobalia GRAY, Zool. Misc. (1842) 67; Cat. Vip. Snakes
(1849) 77; BouULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 378;
SCLATER, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 60 (1891) 245; BOULENGER, Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 21.
Fordonia unicolor GRAY, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 77; GUNTHER, Rept.
Brit. India (1864) 277; Zool. Rec. (1865) 154; THEOBALD, Cat.
Rept. Brit. India (1876) 182; PeTerRs and Doria, Ann. Mus. Genova
13 (1878) 389; BoErTTcER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1892) 26 (Philip-
pines).
Hemiodontus leucobalia DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854)
884; JAN, Arch. Zool. Anat. Phys. 3 (1865) 264; Icon. Gén. (1868)
28, pl. 6, fig. 1.
Hemiodontus chalybeus JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 79.
Fordonia bicolor THEOBALD, Journ. Linn. Soc. 10 (1868) 56; Cat.
Rept. Brit. India (1876) 181.
Fordonia variabilis MACLEAY, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. W. 2 (1878)
219.
Description of species —(From Boulenger.) ‘Rostral nearly
as deep as broad; frontal a little longer than broad, longer than
its distance from the end of the snout, a little shorter than the
parietals; one pree- and two postoculars; temporals 1+ 3 or
2+ 3; five upper labials, third entering the eye; three lower
labials in contact with the anterior chin-shields, which are small
116 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
and a little larger than the posterior. Scales in 25 to 29 rows,
Ventrals 130-156, last frequently divided; anal divided; sub.
caudals 26-43. Coloration of upper parts very variable; lower
parts uniform yellowish white.”
Measurements of Fordonia leucobalia (Schlegel).
mm.
Total length 930
Snout to vent 820
Tail 110
Remarks.—This species is included on the strength of Boett-
ger’s record of a specimen from Manila, collected by Moellendorff.
LANGAHIN-&
Hypapophyses developed throughout the vertebral column;
nostrils not valvular, lateral; terrestrial snakes. Not poisonous.
The bulk of this subfamily appears to be confined to Madagas-
car. It is surprising to find this single isolated genus Hologer-
rhum in the Philippines. This has been placed in the Langahinze
on the basis of the diagnostic characters given by Boulenger.
Save for this fact it might easily be regarded as a species of
Cyclocorus, which it resembles in a superficial manner.
Genus HOLOGERRHUM Giinther
Hologerrhum GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 186; BorTTGER, Ber.
Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 115; BouLENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus.
3 (1896) 33; CASTO DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 438.
“Maxillary teeth 20, equal, followed, after a short interspace,
by a pair of enlarged, grooved fangs; anterior mandibular teeth
strongly enlarged. Head slightly distinct from neck; eye mod-
erate, with round pupil. Body cylindrical; scales smooth, with-
out pits, in 17 rows; ventrals rounded. Tail moderate; subcau-
dals single. Hypapophyses developed throughout the vertebral
column * * *” (Boulenger.)
This genus, comprising a single species, is confined to the
Philippine Islands.
HOLOGERRHUM PHILIPPINUM Giinther
PLATE 7, FIG. 1
Hologerrhum philippinum GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 186;
Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1873) 171, pl. 18, fig. B; BorrrcEr, Ber.
Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 115; BoULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus.
3 (1896) 33; Casto DB ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 438;
GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 263 (Hologerrwm err.
typ.).
Cyclochorus maculatus JAN, Icon. Gén. (1870) 36, pl. 6, fig. 3.
Cyclochorus lineatus maculata FiscHER, Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg
2 (1885) 8&1.
HOLOGERRH UM ie
Description of species —(From Boulenger.) ‘“Rostral broader
than deep, scarcely visible from above; internasals as long as
broad, a little shorter than the preefrontals; frontal twice as long
as broad, longer than its distance from the end of the snout, a
little shorter than the parietals; loreal as long as deep; two
pre- and two postoculars; temporals, 1 + 1; eight upper labials,
third, fourth, and fifth entering the eye; four lower labials in
contact with the anterior chin-shields, which are shorter than
the posterior. Scales in 17 rows. Ventrals 144; anal entire;
subcaudals 40. Brown above, with a few alternating black spots
on the anterior part of the back, and one or two black cross-bars
behind the head; a black streak on each side of the head; passing
through the eye; upper lip yellowish; a black line on each side of
the posterior part of the body and of the tail; lower parts
yellowish, with a black dot at the outer end of each ventral
shield; on the tail these dots are confluent into a line.”
Measurements of Hologerrhum philippinum Giinther.
mm.
Total length 280
Snout to vent 228
Tail 52
Remarks.—The exact type locality of this species is no longer
known, and only a few specimens have been collected. Fischer
reports it from southern Mindanao, and a specimen was recently
taken in northern Kalinga, Luzon.t
CORONELLIN A=
Hypapophyses absent on the posterior dorsal vertebree, the
lower surfaces of which are smooth. All maxillary teeth solid,
none grooved. Scales imbricating, ventrals enlarged trans-
versely. Nonpoisonous.
A large number of genera belong to this family. They occur
in all temperate and tropical parts of the world. Fifteen genera
are recognized in the Philippines.
Key to the Philippine genera of the Coronelline.
a’, Anterior temporals present; parietals separated from labials.
b*. Pupil vertically elliptical.
c’. Scales without apical pits, smooth.
d*. Posterior maxillary teeth increasing in size; anterior maxillary
and mandibular teeth strongly enlarged; anterior maxillary
teeth separated from the rest by an interspace; scales in 17
LO! LOMO WS esas ceestee nee iasantee eaten st Ophites Wagler (p. 118).
} Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 33, in a footnote states:
“The specimen from Placer, Mindanao, referred to this species by Giinther
(Proc. Zool. Soc. 1879, p. 78), belongs to Cyclocorus lineatus.”
118 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
d*. Anterior maxillary teeth, increasing in size to eighth which is
much enlarged, followed by an interspace, followed by 3
small and 3 large teeth; scales in 17 rows.
Haplonodon Griffin (p. 126).
d*. Anterior maxillary teeth, 15 to 20, increasing in size toward the
middle of the series, then decreasing to the last 2 or 3 which
are large; anterior mandibular teeth large; scales in 17 rows.
Stegonotus Duméril and Bibron (p. 129).
c. Scales with or without apical pits (absent in Philippine species) ;
scales smooth; maxillary teeth, 8 to 10, rather short but stout,
increasing in size posteriorly; anterior mandibular teeth slightly
larger than posterior; scales in 13 or 15 rows.
Dryocalamus Giinther (p. 131).
b*. Pupil round.
c'. Longitudinal scale rows in even numbers; maxillary teeth, 20 to 23,
increasing in size‘ posteriorly; scales in 14 to 18 rows, with apical
pits. Large snakes.......0....222::ccceee Zaocys Cope (p. 134).
c’. Longitudinal scale rows in odd numbers.
d*. Ventrals and subcaudals not or but feebly keeled.
e’. Maxillary teeth, 8 to 12, posteriorly compressed; scales in 13
to 21 rows, smooth or feebly keeled, with or without apical
DIGS) een ee a ee Holarchus Cope (p. 138).
e’. Similar to Holarchus; maxillary teeth, 6 to 8, posteriorly com-
pressed; pterygoid teeth absent, palate without teeth, or with
2 or 3 on each palatine; scales in 15 to 17 rows.
Oligodon Boie (p. 146).
e*. Maxillary teeth equal or nearly so, or posterior ones slightly
decreasing in size.
f*. Scales with apical pits. Large snakes.
g. Seales in 23 to 27 rows............ Gonyosoma Wagler (p. 152).
GPs Seales IM'2 ly LOWS tire cszecev eseccsseeses Elaphe Fitzinger (p. 155).
f. Scales without apical pits........ Liopeltis Fitzinger (p. 161).
d*. Ventral and subcaudal scales strongly keeled and notched.
e*. Maxillary teeth, 20 to 33, slightly enlarged posteriorly; median
scale row distinctly enlarged; scales in 13 to 15 rows, with
apiGal pits a3 ae eee ees Dendrophis Boie (p. 165).
e*. Maxillary teeth, 18 to 28, anterior longest; median scale row
not or but slightly enlarged; scales in 13 to 15 rows, with
@pical ‘pits! 2.220 ea. Dendrelaphis Boulenger (p. 169).
a’. No anterior temporals; parietals in contact with labials.
b'. Internasals present.
c'. Wye distinct....... = . Pseudorhabdium Boulenger (p. 177).
Oh Wye Nid den. eserves site sess ace Typhlogeophis Giinther (p. 182).
b°. Internasals absent; eye distinet o.oo... Calamaria Boie (p. 183).
Genus OPHITES Wagler
Lycodon, part., Bob, Isis (1827) 521; WacLer, Syst. Amph. (1830)
186; SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1887) 104; DuméRIL and BIBRON,
Erp. Gen. 7 (1854) 3867; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 201;
Rept. Brit. India (1864) 315; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 95.
OPHITES 119
Ophites WAGLER, Syst. Amph. (1830) 186; DuMERIL and Brsron, Erp.
Gén. 7 (1854) 397; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 206; Rept. Brit.
India (1864) 322; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 95; STEJNEGER,
Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 356; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci.
§ D 6 (1911) 258.*
Cercaspis WAGLER, Syst. Amph. (1830) 191; Dumérm and BrBRon,
Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 3889; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 207;
Rept. Brit. India (1864) 323; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 94.
Leptorhytaon GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 205; Rept. Brit.
India (1864) 328.
Tetragonosoma GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 253; Rept. Brit.
India (1864) 320.
Tytleria THEOBALD, Cat. Rept. As. Soc. Mus. (1868) 66.
Lycodon BOULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 291; Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 348; BorTtcrr, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges.
(1886) 114; Casto pp ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 437.
“Maxillary bent inwards anteriorly in the adult, the three to
six anterior teeth increasing in size, fang-like, and separated by
a toothless interspace from the rest, seven to fifteen in number,
which increase in size posteriorly; anterior mandibular teeth
longest, fang-like. Head not or but slightly distinct from neck,
more or less depressed; eye small or moderate, with vertically
elliptic pupil; nostril large or rather large. Body more or less
elongate, cylindrical or slightly compressed; scales smooth or
keeled, in 17 or 19 rows, with apical pits; ventrals with or
without a lateral keel. Tail moderate; subcaudals single or
double.” (Boulenger.)
The genus is a comparatively large one with about eighteen
known species. It is distributed over southern Asia, and the
Malay Peninsula and Archipelago. Three species enter the
Philippines, but only the rare Ophites tessellatus (Jan) appears
to be confined to the Islands. The species best known in the
Philippines is Ophites aulicus (Linneus), which is commonly
found about houses and stone walls. This species is known as
culebra casera and ahas-na-tulog (sleeping snake). The latter
name is indeed a good one, as it describes its characteristic habit
of remaining motionless when first disturbed. The species of this
genus appear to feed almost wholly on small lizards of the Gecko-
nide and Scincide. They are absolutely harmless and rarely
attempt to bite. They thrive well in captivity and readily take
food.
* Stejneger, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 356 b, has shown that the
long-accepted name Lycodon is fixed for a South American genus of
snakes, usually known as Lycognathus. The next name chronologically is
Ophites Wagler.
120 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Key to the Philippine species of Ophites Wagler.*
a’. A preocular, separating eye from prefrontal.
b'. Nasal single; ventrals not angulate........ 0. tessellatus (Jan) (p. 124).
b%. Two nasals; ventrals laterally angulate.. 0. aulicus (Linneus) (p. 120).
a’, No preocular; prefrontal entering eye.....- 0. subcinctus (Boie) (p. 124).
OPHITES AULICUS (LIinnzus)
Coluber aulicus LINN@us, Mus. Ad. Frid. 1 (1754) 29, pl. 12, fig.
2; Syst. Nat. ed. 10 1 (1758) 220.
Lycodon aulicus Borg, Isis (1827) 551; CopE, Proc. Acad. Sci. Phila-
delphia (1860) 262 (var.); Prrers, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 688;
GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 316; Proc. Zool. Soc. London
(1879) 18; Zool. Rec. (1870) 75; JAN, Icon. Gén. (1870) 36, pl.
4, fig. 1; THEOBALD, Cat. Rept. Brit. India (1876) 199; Murray,
Zool. Sind. (1884) 883; FiscHEer, Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg
(1885) 81; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 294; Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 352 (and varieties); Barbour, Mem.
Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard Coll. 44 (1912) 114.
Lycodon capucinus Bolg, Isis (1827) 551.
Lycodon unicolor Botr, Isis (1827) 551.
Lycodon hebe SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 106, pl. 4, figs. 1-6.
Lycodon aulicus, part., CANTOR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 68; DUMERIL
and BiproNn, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 869; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes
(1858) 201.
Tytleria hypsirhinoides THEOBALD, Cat. Rept. As. Soc. Mus. (1868)
66.
Ophites aulicus GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 596; §
D 6 (1911) 258; TayLor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917) 359.
Description of species —(From No. 161, E. H. Taylor col-
lection; collected in Manila, June 1, 1915, by E. H. Taylor.)
Snout and head rather flattened, lips extended; rostral much
broader than deep, scarcely visible from above, bent at a strong
angle; internasals moderate, not quite as long as prefrontals;
latter form their longest suture with each other, their sutures
with other scales being subequal in length; frontal not twice
as long as wide, forming its longest suture with supraocular,
the suture with preocular being very small; length of frontal
nearly equal to its distance from end of snout; parietals longer
than but not as wide as frontal, bounded behind by 3 enlarged
scales, 1 medially and 2 laterally; nostril pierced between 2
“a
* Casto de Elera lists Lycodon modestum Schlegel (= Stegonotus mo-
destum) ; Lycodon bairdi Steindachner (= Psammodynastes pulverulentus) ;
Lycodon culcullatun (= Stegonotus culcullatus), which probably does not
occur in the Philippines; and Lycodon capucinus, which is a variety of
Ophites aulicus.
OPHITES 121
small nasals, the anterior somewhat the larger; loreal large, sub-
rectangular, forming its longest suture with prefrontal, not
twice as long as wide; a large preocular
extending from frontal to third labial;
supraocular smaller than preocular but
a little longer; 2 small postoculars sub-
1
ie > +4; 9
upper labials, fifth, sixth, seventh, and
eighth largest; third, fourth, and fifth
labials entering eye; 10 lower labials,
sixth and fifth largest; mental small; 5
labials touch first chin shields (4 on
right side) ; mental small, triangular; 2
pairs of chin shields, first pair longest,
nearly equal in length to first labials;
scales in 17 rows, smooth, outer row
somewhat enlarged ; eye small, pupil Fic. 11 Ophites aulicus (Lin-
vertical; head distinct from body, very nus); after Boulenger; a.
much flattened, with lips and temporal ee te eecrrawiges
regions swollen; ventrals, 197; anal dou-
ble; subcaudals, 74, double; tail slender, terminating in a long,
sharp point.
Color in life——Grayish slate to purplish brown above with an
irregular network formed by darker scales bordered with white;
on neck a dim lighter band forming a broad collar; fore part
of head darker slate; lips and neck whitish, each scale with a
darker area; lower surfaces immaculate cream white.
Variation.—But little variation occurs in this species among
specimens found in the various Philippine islands. The follow-
ing differences, however, are in evidence. Specimens from the
Visayan islands of Masbate, Bantayan, and Negros have the tem-
porals 1+ 2 for the most part instead of 2 + 3, which is the
usual formula elsewhere. It will be noted from the table that
there is a tendency to a reduction in the number of labials
touching the anterior chin shields in Luzon specimens. The
range of ventrals is 194 to 210; of subcaudals, 62 to 78. These
counts are well within the limits set by Boulenger.*
One specimen in the collection from Almo:’a, India, differs
considerably. The head is rather narrow and pointed; the pre-
oculars are not in contact with the frontal, which is true of
Philippine specimens; the frontal is proportionally shorter, and
equal in size. Temporals
* Loe. cit.
122 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
the subcaudal count is 89, much higher than the range limit
noted by Boulenger.* The whitish network on the body forms
rather definite white bars on the anterior part of the body.
Remarks.—Boulenger * has referred all his Philippine spec-
imens under his “variety D” (Lycodon aulicus capucinus Boie).
In the more than thirty Philippine specimens examined, I find
no variations which warrant subspecific treatment. 1 find that
variations in markings are due chiefly to age; variations in
scalation for the most part do not appear constant. This species
is known to occur in most of the larger Philippine islands, with
the possible exception of Palawan, and in some of the smaller
ones. Griffin states that a specimen was taken in Palawan
by C. M. Weber and that this is in the Bureau of Science col-
lection. The only one of this species collected by Weber in the
collection is from Cuyo, and I believe this is the specimen re-
ferred to by Griffin. Certainly if it is found in Palawan it is
TABLE 20.—Measurements and scale counts of Ophites aulicus (Linnexus).
a gs ¢ fi |
No. Locality. Collector. é & = & 35 |
gee Be aa
| | mm. mm
165 | Occidental Negros....| H. McNamara __.. ------------------- 9 | 578! 74 | 199 987 |
166° |\.==. HOG) = aay te wae so | eed Ouse ee aots Omen a tesieisaceme sais g 485 86 200 65
MGR | sae dO acjotcetataise ee) He oMaylor (<.) Ah e162 aetna et co 460 92 ; 189 70
| H. McNamara - $325 3 | 199 68
eo)
3
for)
a
IX)
S
So
a
an
286 Masbate -__--.....-_-- 3 | @ | 360 63 | 198 | 65
OST Lee 5 [oR B Rn Ser eee Car to Eimear | @ | 885! 65} 199 | 62
663 | Bantayat ..2...<-22- L. E. Griffin : SOOs. <3! -198)! 2.2
2 Ores ap cease ee aie eS Oise te Sa hat tl Poe Aree oS Sc 360 50 | 195 |.....
654 | Cuyo_____._____- ° C.M. Weber ____- shai 610 91 | 190 ; 70
1484 | Mindoro ______---- _| Marine Biological Expedition _______- of 540 93 191 | 66
84) Manilac--222<222222--2) Vis Be Griffins: 2222 2222222022 heel) |} 625. | 1101194. 1°76
| Alsat dg setter _| W. Schultze__.. eee: _.... 9 | 580] 96! 198 | 66
ih) Sis2or Leeda res eee (eich eGriffincease ee oe, wu...) 2 | 780! 108 206 1943
| W829 Les. dO eeaserce ees ese (0 (Vesna to ane ERS Se eee PAIN 781 | 182 | 202 | 69
cc. eee AG onccmwae nts coats Sy Ps tacos aunce cage ceded ee ycke o | 578 | 103 206 78
1624 |...-- ie Loc secede eae e aeons Oye oa eemae Jebadeen cence tS bob) TBBut 210 67
1629 |___-- Ors oe ane ae aC eee tees ae _| 3& | 637} 295 | 204 |a56
1562) | -22d0, secspeesewss EG rittineacseecns seas are ees So | 445 | 92 | 194 | 71
{61 [ese Mots-nces suse Pash Tay lore 22 ee Seg ee $ | 522105 197 74
R 1314 | Almora, India_._-___- SEAL ZAS CALE IA Sse c StealtssacsaleObe Bo
® Mutilated.
* Catalogue, loc. cit.
OPHITES 123
TABLE 20.—Measurements and scale counts of Ophites aulicus
(Linmnzus ) —Continued.
| Labials. 7 | ‘
| be a a
Sey ee eh ee I
No. fe Ps be | eae 5 q 5 | Collection.
o Co] So ees 5 © a |
By 2 | ge | S42) @ 3 | &§ |
| Ee a see ed oth ae
[Teese sore pa Faint Let ara :
| 165 | 9 | 10 | 3,4,5 5 1 17 | 2+3 E. H. Taylor.
| | { 142431 |
| a 9 10 | 3,4,5 2 i * ae De, |
| 167 9 | 10 | 345; 6 2 in 48 Do.
| H
| 168 9) 10 | 3,4,5| 5 2 17 14248 Do
| 170 9 | 10: | “Bpaye") 6 2 | av] 14248 Do
171 9| 10 | 3,4,5 5 2) 47 14243 Do
“he
174 , 10 | 3, 4,6 5 2 17 i ‘ | Do
lige Gee
286 9 | 10 3,4,5 5 2 wh TB 4 Do.
| |
287 9| 10 3,4,5 5 2 wl 14243 Do.
663 | 9} 10 345| 43/| 2 7 | 14+2+8 | Bureau of Science.
837 | 9) 10 | 3,4,5 Bl) <2 Ww 14243 Do.
654 | 9/ 10 | 34,6 5 | 2 17 243 Do.
1484 | 9) 10-9! 3,4,5 B4, 2 17 243 Do.
84 | 9] 10 | 34,5 S| 2 17 248) Do.
|
641 i] 19 | 34,6) 2-6 | 2 17 2+3 | Do.
1325 FI) 210% | 34,5 | 4) 2 17 2+3 Do.
1329| 9] 10 | 345, 46 | 2 17 248) De.
| | oe
1520 9) 10 | 3,4,5 5 2 in { Peet Do.
| | | |
| | i i 2431] |
sal 9) 0 | nae a 2 17 ji 244) Do. |
1529 | 9/ 10 | 34,6) 45, 21 17 24+3 Do.
1552 | 9 | 10 34,5) 4-5 2 17 243 | Do. |
| 0
| 1
; 161 9) 10 | 3,4,5) 5-4 2 wi pygt4 | BE. H. Taylor. |
| 4
| R1314 | 9 | 10 | 3,4,5 6 2 17 | 2+4 | Bureau of Science. |
rare, since several other collections made there contain no
specimen of this common snake.
In Manila it is especially common in houses, where it feeds
on the small geckos, Peropus mutilatus, Cosymbotus platyurus,
and Hemidactylus frenatus. One gentleman assured me that
he had killed fourteen in his house during a single rainy season.
It is absolutely harmless, usually very gentle, and may be handled
with impunity.
Known from Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Panay, Negros, Ban-
tayan, Masbate. It is uncommon in eastern Mindanao, as not a
specimen was found in my two years’ collecting there. Fischer *
reports Lycodon aulicus var. from southern Mindanao.
*Loc. cit.
124 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
OPHITES TESSELLATUS (Jan)
Lycodon tessellatus JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 96; Icon. Gén.
(1870) 36, pl. 4, fig. 2; Miitupr, III. Nacht. Cat. Herp. Samml.
Basel Mus. (1883) 17; BorTtcER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886)
114; BoULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 351; CASTO DE
ELerA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 487.
Ophites tesselatus GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 258
(typ. err.)
Description of species—‘Snout moderately depressed; eye
rather small. Rostral broader than deep, just visible from above;
internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal nearly
as long as its distance from the end of the snout, slightly shorter
than the parietals; loreal elongate, not entering the eye, forming
a suture with the internasal; one pre- and two postoculars;
temporals small, scale-like, 2+ 3; nine upper labials, third,
fourth, and fifth entering the eye; four lower labials in contact
with the anterior chin-shields, which are longer than the poste-
rior. Scales smooth, in 17 rows. Anal divided. Subcaudals
in two rows. Above with three series of alternating black
spots; ventrals and subcaudals brown, edged with whitish.”
(Boulenger.)
Remarks.—The type locality is “Manila auf Luzon.” This
is the only exact locality known. Miiller’s specimen is labeled
“Philippinen.” Evidently this species is very rare.
OPHITES SUBCINCTUS (Boie)
PLATE 8
Lycodon subcinctus Bork, Isis (1827) 551; SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp.
2 (1837) 117, pl. 4, figs. 14, 15; BouLENGER, Proc. Zool. Soc.
London (1890) 34.
Lycodon platurinus CANTOR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 69.
Ophites subcinctus DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 398;
GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 206; Rept. Brit. India (1864)
322; JAN, Icon. Gén. (1870) 86, pl. 5, fig. 4; BLANFORD, Proc.
Zool. Soc. London (1881) 222, pl. 21, fig. 2; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ.
Sei. § A 4 (1909) 596; § D 6 (1911) 258.
Elapoides annulatus SAUVAGE, Bull. Soc. Philom. VII 8 (1884) 144.
Description of species —(From No. 659, Bureau of Science
collection; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, August 26, 1908,
by C. M. Weber.) (Adult male.) Head and snout much de-
pressed, almost spatulate: rostral scarcely visible above, much
broader than high, the sutures with internasals and nasals sub-
equal; internasals small, about one-third the size of prefrontals,
narrowed medially, about as wide as long; pretrontals: large,
about as wide as long, longest on sides, forming mutual suture,
entering eye; frontal longer than wide, longer than and more
than twice as wide as supraoculars, much shorter than its dis-
OPHITES 125
tance from end of snout, and much shorter than parietals; latter
moderate, about one and a half times as long as broad, bordered
by 3 temporals and a postocular; nasal apparently entire, nar-
rowed in the middle, the posterior portion higher and rather
pointed behind; no preocular; loreal elongate, twice as long as
high, widely separated from internasal, entering eye, in contact
with 2 labials below; supraocular about twice as long as wide; 2
Fic. 12. Ophites subcinctus (Boie) ; drawing of a Palawan specimen; a, head, dorsal view;
b, head, lateral view; x 2.
small postoculars; temporals 2 + 2+ 2 on left side, and 1+ 2
+ 2 on right, third upper largest; 8 upper labials, third, fourth,
and fifth entering eye, seventh largest; mental very small, wider
than deep; 9 lower labials, 4 touching anterior chin shields, which
are wider and somewhat enlarged; scales in 17 rows, the 11
median rows slightly but distinctly keeled; ventrals, 208, angulate
laterally ; anal divided; subcaudals, 64 pairs; eye small, less than
its distance from nostril.
Color in alcoholAbove dull purplish, banded with 10 light
lavender bands, each about 6 scales wide, darker medially; the
first band crosses occipital region; labials light colored; throat
and belly yellowish without markings; tail dimly banded with 6
bands almost same shade as ground color; below yellowish white.
Measurements of Ophites subcinctus (Boie).
Total length 505
Snout to vent - 416
Tail 89
Width of head 11
Variation.—A second specimen in the collection agrees with
the described specimen, save that the head is less flattened, due
126 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
probably to the fact that it is younger. The rostral is a little
more exposed above, and the postoculars are fused into one
scale. The temporal formula is 1 + 2-+2. The color above is
a dark brown with 16 white bands from head to tail; a brown
streak, partially following the parietal suture, divides the occip-
ital band.
TABLE 21.—Measurements and scale counts of Ophites subcinctus (Bote).
| |
| No. | Locality. Collector. ipsa Length. Tail.
ee | ae aa
| | | | mm. mm.
| 659 Iwahig, Palawan _-_-...-.-.-..... -.....| C. M. Weber.--------- of 605 89 |
\ 751 jcc Oi ane tales ee te na ev yen gee dae jane Oe tesa cee ee ye 254 44
| = Saar = =
ie pala ae Raa satis aa a
| : |
| Sub- Labials P
Ven Scale Post- | Width; F
| No trals cane Anals.| os se ecarewas of head. Collection.
ees Sone ae Se es ‘i
| 659 | 208 64 | 2 17 | 3,4,5 2, 11 | Bureau of Science. |
|
| 151) .199) 64 | 2 17 | 3,4,6 1| 7 Do. |
t i bo ee eee
The Palawan form agrees quite well with the specimens from
Asia and Java. Boulenger gives the variation in ventrals as
198 to 227; in subcaudals, 61 to 89. He also mentions the fol-
lowing variations: Sometimes the sixth labial enters the eye,
making 4 in all; sometimes the loreal does not enter the eye; the
anal is rarely entire. The two specimens above recorded are
the first and, I believe, the only records for the Philippines.
Genus HAPLONODON Griffin
Haplonodon GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 5 (1910) 211; § D 6
(1911) 258.
“Maxillary teeth in two series, separated by a short inter-
space; the posterior teeth of each series largest, 14 or 15 in
all. Anterior end of maxilla bent slightly inward.
“Anterior mandibular teeth enlarging to the fourth, followed
by smaller teeth of equal size. Head distinct from neck. Eye
moderate, pupil vertically elliptic. Body slender, slightly com-
pressed; tail long. Scales smooth, in 17 longitudinal rows,
without apical pits; subcaudals in two rows.” (Griffin.)
Only a single species known. Exclusively a Philippine form.
HAPLONODON PHILIPPINENSIS Griffin
PLATE 9
Haplonodon philippinensis GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 5 (1910)
212, text fig. 1, pl. 1; § D 6 (1911) 258.
HAPLONODON 127
Description of species.—(From the type, No. 883, Bureau of
Science collection ; collected in Polillo, October 1909, by C. Cano-
nizado.) (Adult male.) Anterior end of maxillary curved in-
ward but slightly; teeth on maxilla increase in size from
first to eighth, the last 3 or 4 strong and fanglike; after a
short interspace 3 small teeth follow, which in turn are followed
by 3 large teeth, fanglike and laterally compressed; the 4 ante-
rior mandibular teeth increase in size to fourth, and are consid-
erably larger than the remaining ones which are of nearly
equal size; head somewhat triangular, rather flat, distinct from
neck; rostral broader than deep, folded about snout, its posterior
part pointed and entering between internasals, the portion visible
above being equal to one-third its distance from rostral; inter-
nasals small, narrowed medially, the suture between them one-
third to one-fourth that between prefrontals; latter large, more
than four times the size of internasals, more than two-thirds the
length of frontal; latter almost straight on its anterior margin,
about as broad as long, twice the width of supraoculars and a
little longer; parietals elongate, bordered by 3 (4 on right side)
temporals, nearly twice as long
as frontal; nasal single, of very
irregular shape, elongate, ante-
rior part much lower than poste-
rior; nostril pierced obliquely; a \¥
loreal present, more than twice
as long as wide, entering eye;
a single preocular narrowly sepa-
rated from frontal; 2 small See EGE
Fic. 13. Haplonodon philippinensis Grif-
subequal postoculars; temporals fin; a, head, dorsal view; 6, head, ventral
2+2; 9 upper labials, fourth view.
and fifth entering eye, seventh and eighth largest and nearly
equal, 9 lower labials, 5 in contact with anterior chin shields
which are larger than posterior; mental much wider than deep;
scales smooth, in 17 rows, without apical pits; body slender,
distinctly compressed; lateral keels on ventrals, but scales not
noticeably notched; ventrals, 203; anal entire; subcaudals, 95
(tip of tail missing).
Color.—Dorsal surface of body and tail crossed by seventy-
nine dark brown bands, separated by narrow bands of white,
finely dotted with brown; the edges of latter bands pure white,
outlining the darker and broader bands prettily; in the dorsal
portions of the lighter bands the brown dots are often con-
fluent, producing a grayish brown color; dots finer and more
128 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
separated toward ventral surface; ventral portions of most of
the brown bands narrowly separated from dorsal parts by fine
white lines; a large brown spot on end of most of ventral
scales; ventral surface of head and body white; brown dots
become increasingly numerous on lower surface as anus is ap-
proached; lower surface of tail closely covered with brown dots;
upper surface of head very dark brown, almost black, adorned
by a reticulate pattern of fine white lines; centers and lower
edges of upper labial scales white, their adjoining edges brown;
all scales extremely smooth and glossy.
Measurements of Haplonodon philippinensis Griffin.
mm.
Total length 800
Tail 196
Head length 23
Head width 18
Variation.—A second specimen taken near Los Banos, Luzon,
is smaller and immature. The head is triangular, very distinct
from body, and noticeably flattened. There are eighty-five brown
bars across the body, thirty-one of which belong to the tail. The
tail is extremely slender. The color of the specimen is darker
brown than that of the adult described.
TABLE 22.—Measurements and scale counts of Haplonodon philippinensis
Griffin.
[ | 2 oat |
, | Sex- |
No. | Locality. Collector. liorawe: Length. |
oes Ree ==
| | mm
Ny 788883 NP OMNI Gee Cae okt ate ean oe A tot sc he C. Canonizado _.-------., % | 800
| 21.) Los BanOs) MuzOM sors cecedodueke se Grcesausisae se | pH. Maly lors 7 acjernnces ye 305 |
ees = = oo ee | =
= See ies a ' SO
| ; Sub- q Labials
. | Ven- ‘ Upper | Scale ss “
No. | Tail. | tate. | bre labials.| cone. | pie Collection.
| | | a oe | |
—— | — —|———. - —|— |——— ee aera
mm, | | | |
a 883 196 203 96 | 9 17 4,5 | Bureau of Science. |
211 81 | 206 | 127 | 9 17 4,5 | E. H. Taylor. |
« Type.
Remarks.—These two specimens are the only ones known,
which is rather remarkable in view of the fact that the localities
known are on separate islands. Evidently it is extremely rare.
It is unknown to the inhabitants of Polillo, according to
Griffin.* The people in the locality where it was taken by
myself said they had never seen a similar specimen.
* Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 5 (1910) 213.
STEGONOTUS 129
Genus STEGONOTUS Duméril and Bibron
Lycodon, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 104; DuUMERIL and
Bisron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 367; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 97.
Stegonotus DUMERIL and BIBRON, Mém. Ac. Sci. 23 (1853) 477; Erp.
Gén. 7 (1854) 680; BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893)
364.
Herpetodryas, part., JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 80.
Lielaphis GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1863) 59; (1877) 129.
Zamenophis GUNTHER, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. IV 9 (1872) 21.
Pseudolycodon PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1876) 534.
Spilotes PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 685; Bortrcer, Ber. Senck.
Nat. Ges. (1886) 108; Casto DE ELerRA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1
(1895) 92.
Odontomus BorTTcER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 114; CasTo DE
ELeRA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 437.
“Maxillary teeth 15 to 20, increasing in size towards the
middle of the series, then decreasing in size to the two or three
last, which are again large; anterior mandibular teeth enlarged.
Head more or less distinct from neck; eye moderate or rather
small, with vertically elliptic pupil. Body elongate, cylindrical
or feebly compressed; scales smooth, with apical pits, in 17
rows; ventrals obtusely angulate laterally. Tail moderate or
long; subcaudals in double or single row.” (Boulenger.)
There are two species known from the Philippines.
Key to the Philippine species of Stegonotus Duméril and Bibron.
a’. Ventrals, 220 to 232; subcaudals, 100 pairs; over 2 meters in length
S. muelleri Duméril and Bibron (p. 129).
a’, Ventrals, 195 to 214; subcaudals, 112 to 123; about 1 meter in length
S. dumerilii Boulenger (p. 130).
The genus Stegonotus is distributed over the eastern Philip-
pines, the Moluccas, Papuasia, and northern Australia. No
species has yet been discovered in Celebes or Borneo. The two
species found in the Philippines are endemic. Both are rare.
They are nonpoisonous.
STEGONOTUS MUELLERI Duméril and Bibron
Stegonotus muelleri DUMERIL and BriBron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 682;
BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 367; GRIFFIN, Philip.
Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 259.
Spilotes samarensis PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 685; BOETTGER,
Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 108; Casto pE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Fili-
pinas 1 (1895) 429.
Herpetodryas muelleri JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 81.
Description of species.—(After the type description of
Spilotes samarensis Peters.) Frontal not quite as long as
161465——_9
130 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
broad, almost triangular, the anterior edge a straight line,
rounded behind; an elongate loreal, longer than deep; 2 pre-
oculars and 2 postoculars; 9 upper labials, fourth and fifth en-
tering eye; 2 long anterior temporals followed by 3 others, the
anterior in contact with postoculars, scales in 17 smooth rows;
ventrals, 232; anal entire; subcaudals, 81 pairs.
Color.—Upper side of head dark olive, lips and underside
dirty yellow-white; upper part of body darker with large, broad,
dark flecks; below uniform dirty yellow.
Measurements of Stegonotus muelleri Dumeril and Bibron.
mm.
Total length 2,070
Snout to vent 1,680
Tail 390
Length of head 50
Variation.—Boulenger gives the known ventral range for the
species 220 to 232; that of the subcaudals, 81 to 100. As to the
color of the type (?) he states: “Uniform brown above; lips and
lower parts dirty yellowish white.”
Remarks.—Only three or four specimens of this rare snake
have been found, ail apparently from Samar Island. It attains
a length of more than 2 meters. It is harmless to man.
STEGONOTUS DUMERILII Boulenger
Lycodon miilleri DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 82;
GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 203.
Odontomus mueclleri GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1879) 78;
Boetrcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 114; Casto DE ELERA, Cat.
Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 487.
Stegonotus dumertlii BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893)
368; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 259.
Description of species —(From an unnumbered specimen,
Santo Tomas Museum, labeled ‘Filipinas,’ collector unknown;
local name, taling bilao.) Head distinct from neck, rather
spatulate; rostral broader than deep, narrowly but distinctly
visible from above, pointed behind, nearly as deep as broad, its
smallest suture formed with first labial, its largest with inter-
nasal; latter about as wide as deep, narrowed medially, the
suture between them being about half of that between pre-
frontals; latter much broader than deep, in contact with both
preoculars and forming their smallest suture with inferior pre-
ocular; frontal longer than bvoad, its sides nearly parallel, its
anterior edge a straight line, as long as its distance from end
of snout, shorter than parietals, scarcely twice as broad as
DRYOCALAMUS 131
supraocular; parietals very much elongate, almost twice as
broad as long, touching only 1 postocular; nasal elements mu-
tilated but nasal apparently a single scale, elongate, the nostril
near the middle; 1 loreal a little longer than high; 2 preoculars
coequal in size, nearly as large as loreal and larger than post-
oculars; supraoculars nearly twice as long as wide; 3 post-
oculars, upper largest; temporals 2+ 3; 8 temporals border-
ing parietals; 9 upper labials, fourth and fifth entering eye,
sixth and seventh largest; 9 lower labials, 5 touching anterior
chin shields, which are very much larger than second pair and
widely separated from each other at their upper ends; eye
quite large, with pupil distinctly vertical, oval; 17 scale rows,
smooth, outer row not enlarged; ventrals, 198; anal single;
subcaudals, 122.
Color in alcoholAbove dark purplish brown with eighteen
white bands on body and fourteen on tail, each band three
scales wide on back and widening to four or five on side; small
whitish spots in temporal region and on lower edges of upper la-
bials; yellowish below, of a muddy color under tail.
Measurements of Stegonotus dumerilii Boulenger.
mm.
Total length 335
Snout to vent : 240
Tail 95
Remarks.—I have been able to examine only this single, very
young specimen of Stegonotus dumerilw. It differs from Bou-
lenger’s description in having 3 instead of 2 postoculars,
and in the color and markings. However, these differences in
color and markings may be due to the age of the specimen.
Boulenger lists four specimens. The ventrals and subcaudals
vary between 195 and 214, and 112 and 123, respectively. The
counts for the specimen described le within these limits.
Known from Samar (Boettger), Surigao (Giinther), and Da-
raga and the Iriga Volcano, Luzon (Peters). It is not known
outside the Philippines.
Genus DRYOCALAMUS Giinther
Nympha (non Martini) FITZINGER, Neue Class. Rept. (1826) 29.
Lycodon, part., SCHEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 104.
Odontomus (non Kirby) DUMERIL and BiIBRoN, Mem. Ac. Sci. 23
(1853) 463; Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 450; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes
(1858) 206; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 95; GUNTHER, Rept.
Brit. Ind. (1864) 238.
Dryocalamus GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 121; BOULENGER,
Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 369.
132 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Hydrophobus GUNTHER, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. III 9 (1862) 127;
BoULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 297.
Nymphophidium GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 2385.
Ulupe BuANForD, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 47 (1878) 129.
“Maxillary teeth 8 to 10, rather short but stout, increasing
in size posteriorly; anterior mandibular teeth a little longer
than the posterior; one or two more or less distinct tooth-like
knobs on the basisphenoid. Head distinct from neck, much
depressed; eye moderate or rather large, with vertically elliptic
pupil. Body slender, slightly compressed; scales smooth, in
13 or 15 rows, with apical pits;* ventrals strongly keeled on
each side. Tail moderate; subcaudals in two rows.” (Bou-
lenge.)
The genus is small, only six or seven species being known.
Three are found in the East Indies. Dryocalamus subanulatus
is confined to the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra; D. tristrigatus
is found in Borneo and the Natuna Islands: and D. philippinus
is found in Palawan. The last species resembles D. tristrigatus
in markings, and is otherwise similar save for the absence of
apical pits on scales. Snakes of this genus are harmless.
DRYOCALAMUS PHILIPPINUS Griffin
2
PLATE 10, FIG. 2; PLATE 11, FIGS. 1 AND 2
Dryocalamus philippinus GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909)
596; § D 6 (1911) 259.
Description of species—(From No. 240, E. H. Taylor col-
lection; collected at Balabac, 1915, by C. M. Weber.) Head
distinct from neck, rather flattened; rostral more than one and
a half times as broad as high; part visible above less than one-
third its distance from frontal; internasals about as wide as
long, the suture between them equaling the suture between
prefrontals; latter larger than internasals, bending down on
sides, wider than deep; frontal broadly angled anteriorly, less
than one and one-third times as long as broad, longer than its
distance from end of snout, as long as or minutely shorter than
parietals; latter longer than wide, touching superior postocular;
nasal large, with nostril very small, pierced near its center;
loreal very large, nearly twice as long as wide, entering eye;
no preocular (or, if present, fused with supraocular) ; 3 post-
oculars, subequal in size; 2 anterior temporals with the formula
1 (aes a: : Cesta be 2 . 3 ‘
149 +3) 7 upper labials, third and fourth entering eye: labials
* There are no apical pits in Dryocalamus philippinns Griffin.—E. H. T.
DRYOCALAMUS 133
in the following order of size: sixth, fifth, fourth, third, seventh,
second, first; 7 lower labials, 4 touching anterior chin shields,
which are more than twice as large as second pair; scales in
15 smooth rows, without apical pits; ventrals, 216; subcaudals,
87; both ventrals and subcaudals strongly keeled and turned up
on side; anal single.
Color in alcohol_—Above dark black-brown with a median
cream-colored stripe covering median scale rows and the edges
of the two adjoining rows; a second stripe on fourth row of
scales; below this a black-brown stripe covering third and part
of second scale rows; outer scale row cream; below immaculate,
the lateral edges of ventrals with brown dots except on anterior
part of body; head dark with lighter markings of cream on
posterior part of head; upper labials yellowish.
Measurements of Dryocalamus philippinus Griffin.
mm.
Total length 375
Snout to vent 287
Tail 88
Length of head 15
Width of head 6.8
Variation.—The type is a small immature specimen in the
Bureau of Science collection and was collected by W. Schultze
in Iwahig, Palawan. A second specimen in the Bureau of
Science collection is also from Palawan. This specimen has
largely lost its color in alcohol; the head has much more light
marking than the described specimen, and agrees with that of
the type.
TABLE 23.—Measurements and scale counts of Dryocalamus philippinus
Griffin.
| : man
No. pens Locality. Collector. Length.| Tail. teal;
i - aes ee eae
mm, mm, |
419 g Iwahig, Palawan______-----_---- | L. E. Griffin.----.---. | 485 116 | 226
420) ye |_---- dogt cite ees AN ea | W. Schultze .-_...-_-- | eal 57 | 216
240| @ | Balabac’.-...-..-.:---2-2s2zc200: C.M. Weber--.-.----- 375 8&8 216
z= 3 = = eee Sa =e
| | | | |
| Labials.
| |
| Ue | | Preocu-} Post- :
ie C ction,
| No. cau | Ent Touch | lars. oculars. ollgecion |
Cals. | Upper. Lower. ee er) chin | !
| | | &Ye |shields. | | |
| | |
a a aed, |
419 96 7 18 3, 4 4] nF 3 Bureau of Science.
| 420 99 | mp ae) saya 4| 1} 2-3] Do.
| 240/ 87 | Uli 3,4 4 |
0 | 3) BE. H. Taylor.
134 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
The known range of the ventrals is 216 to 225; of the sub-
caudals, 87 to 99. The specimen from Balabac has no preocular
(being fused with the supraocular), but a preocular is present in
both the type and the second Palawan specimen. The type has
only 2 postoculars on the left side and 3 on the right. Three is
the normal number of postoculars.
Remarks.—This species, as has been remarked by Griffin,
is related to Dryocalamus tristrigatus Gtinther, and strongly
resembles it in color and markings. The apical pits in the
scales are absent in this species; the postoculars are three instead
of two; and a preocular is normally present. Griffin remarks
as follows on the dentition in the type:
Maxillary teeth 8; the last two considerably larger than the others,
compressed toward their points, and separated from the first six by a
short space. The anterior mandibular teeth are slightly longer than the
posterior. There is one distinct tooth-like knob on the basisphenoid.
The species is known only from Palawan and Balabac. It
is not poisonous.
Genus ZAOCYS Cope
Coryphodon, part., GUNTHER Cat. Col. Snakes Brit. Mus. (1858) 107;
JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 63.
Zaocys COPE, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1860) 563; GUN-
THER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 255; Borrrcer, Ber. Senck. Nat.
Ges. (1886) 108; BOoULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890)
329; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1898) 374; CaAsTo DE ELERA, Cat.
Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 428.
Herpetodryas, part., JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 80.
Zapyrus GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 256.
“Maxillary teeth 20 to 33, increasing in size posteriorly;
mandibular teeth subequal. Head elongate, distinct from neck;
eye large, with round pupil; a subocular beneath the przocular.
Body elongate, a little compressed; scales smooth or keeled,
with apical pits, in 14, 16, or 18 rows; ventrals rounded. Tail
long; subcaudals in two rows.” (Boulenger.)
Two species occur in the Philippines.
Key to the Philippine species of Zaocys Cope.
1
a’. Seales smooth, in 14 rows......000000.. Z. luzonensis Giinther (p. 185).
a’. Scales keeled on 2 or 4 middle rows; scales in 16 to 18 rows.
Z. carinatus Gtinther (p. 186).
Zoaocys luzonensis Giinther is known only from the type and
two other specimens; Z. carinatus is found in the Philippines
only in Palawan and appears to be confined to that island,
where it is not rare.
ZAOCYS . 135
Casto de Elera includes Coryphodon fuscus? (= Zaocys fus-
cus) from Borongan, Samar; also under the same genus, Cory-
phodon, he lists C. mucosus (=Ptyas mucosus) Linneeus from
Bataan, Luzon, C. Korros (= Ptyas korras) Reinwardt from
Manila, and C. hexanotus (— Xenelaphis hexagonotus) Cantor
from the Calamianes. It is highly probable that these records
are erroneous.
ZAOCYS LUZONENSIS Ginther
PLATE 12, FIGS. 1 AND 3; PLATE 13, FIGS. 1 AND 2
Zaocys luzonensis GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1873) 169;
BoeTTGER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 108; BoULENGER, Cat. Snakes
Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 377, pl. 26, fig. 2; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci.
§ D6 (1911) 259.
Description of species.—‘‘Rostral as deep as broad, visible
from above; internasals shorter than the prefrontals; frontal
once and one third as long as broad, as long as its distance from
the end of the snout, a little shorter than the parietals; loreal
at least twice as long as deep; one preocular, with a subocular
below it; two postoculars; temporals 2 + 2; eight upper labials,
fourth and fifth entering the eye; five lower labials in contact
with the anterior chin-shields, which are much shorter than the
posterior. Scales smooth, in 14 rows. Ventrals 205; anal di-
vided; subcaudals 119. Pale olive-brown above, the scales edged
with black; lower parts yellow, turning to dark olive poste-
riorly.” (Boulenger.)
Measurements of Zaocys luzonensis Gunther.
mm.
Total length 2,500
Snout to vent 1,850
Tail 650
Remarks.—The type in the British Museum is a male from
Luzon, collected by A. B. Meyer; the exact locality is no longer
known. A specimen from Leyte is reported by Boettger.*
The species is represented in the Bureau of Science collection
by the head of a specimen (Plate 13, figs. 1, 2) captured at
Sarai, Paete, Laguna Province, Luzon, by R. C. McGregor.
According to field notes the specimen measured 2.24 meters.
The following are the characters of the head scales: Rostral
narrowly visible above, one-fifth wider than high; internasals
broader than long; prefrontals very much broader than deep;
frontal little longer than its distance from rostral, one-fourth
longer than wide, a little shorter than parietal, as long as but
* Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1890) Ixiii.
136 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
much wider than supraocular; parietals longer than wide, the
part bending down behind eye ending in a sharp point, touching
only anterior postocular; posterior nasal higher than interior
but less broad; loreal rectangular, twice as long as high; 2 pre-
oculars, superior widely separated from frontal, scarcely visible
above, five or six times as large as the inferior; 2 postoculars, su-
perior largest; 2 elongate anterior temporals placed diagonally,
both touching inferior postocular ; 2 posterior temporals; 8 upper
labials, fourth and fifth entering orbit (the 2 scales partially
fused on the left side) ; 10 lower labials, 5 touching anterior pair
of chin shields, which are less than two-thirds as long as poste-
rior; posterior chin shields in contact for half their length,
touching 3 lower labials; scales with apical pits, in 16 rows
around neck (at a point 2 centimeters behind parietals) ; eye
large, its diameter equal to its distance from nostril; a distinct
depression across the head in the anterior parietal region.
Measurements of Zaocys luzonensis Giinther.
mm
Total length * 2,240
Length of head 47
Width of head 28
Depth of head at eye 16
Length of snout from eye 13
Diameter of eye 9
‘From field notes of Mr. McGregor.
ZAOCYS CARINATUS Ginther
PLATE 12, FIGS. 2 AND 4
Coryphodon carinatus, part., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes Brit. Mus.
(1858) 112.
Zaocys carinatus GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 256: BOULENGER,
Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 377, pl. 27, fig. 1; GRIFFIN, Philip.
Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 259; BarBour, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool.
Harvard Coll. 44 (1912) 115.
Ptyas korros, part., BLANFORD, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1881) 221.
Description of species —(From No. 1342, Bureau of Science
collection ; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, March, 1911, by C. H.
Lamb.) Head elongate, distinct from neck; rostral about one
and one-fifth as wide as deep, narrowly visible from above, its
suture with nasals longer than sutures with internasals: latter
wider than long, a little more than one-third the size of pre-
frontals and widely separated from loreal; prefrontals about as
long as wide, in contact laterally with both loreals: frontal a
little longer than wide, wider than supraoculars but shorter,
its length equal to its distance from rostral: parietals longer than
wide, only a little longer than frontal; nostril between 2 nasals:
ZAOCYS 137
2 loreals, the anterior largest and in contact with upper pre-
ocular; 2 preoculars, the upper very large, the lower very small;
2 postoculars; 2 anterior temporals (the posterior temporals are
fused with the lower anterior; normally 2 + 2) ; 9 upper labials,
fifth and sixth entering eye; 9 lower labials, 5 touching anterior
chin shields; anterior chin shields shorter and narrower than
posterior; scales with apical pits (those on body with 2, those
on neck with 3 or more pits); scales in 16 rows on body, 20
rows about neck, the 2 median dorsal rows strongly keeled, com-
mencing back some distance on neck and continuing a short
distance on tail; on latter half of body the scale rows bordering
the median rows are also keeled, and immediately above anus
all the scale rows are strongly keeled; ventrals, 207; ana] di-
vided; subcaudals, 108 (extreme tip of tail missing) ; eye large,
equal to its distance from anterior part of nostril.
Color in alcohol—Above dark olive gray anteriorly, netted
over with whitish yellow, the network formed by the yellow
edges of the two vertical scale rows, and the yellowish skin
between them (the yellow color scarcely observable, unless the
skin is distended) forming alternating scale rows with black
edges and black skin between them; posteriorly the ground
color becomes a lighter olive brown, and the yellowish network
more pronounced and denser; the black color on latter part of
body forms irregularly edged longitudinal lines, three on each
side; that on the outer row of scales is most pronounced, its
zigzag edges extending to ventrals; ventral scales on anterior
part of. body yellowish; posteriorly also yellowish, with dark
spots or dim lines, a pronounced median zigzag line on ventral
surface of tail; tail, above with each scale heavily edged with
black, and with a circular, light yellow, central area.
Measurements of Zaocys carinatus Giinther.
mm.
Total length 2,340
Snout to vent 1,782
Tail 558
Head length 51
Head width 28
Variation.—A second specimen in the Bureau of Science col-
lection, also from Palawan, has only the 2 median scale rows
keeled; there are 3 loreals instead of 2, the 2 posterior being
superimposed; the temporals are normal. The recorded range
of ventrals for extra-Philippine specimens* is 208 to 215; of
* Boulenger, loc. cit.
138 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
subcaudals, 110 to 118; the range of ventrals is extended some-
what by the scale count of the described specimen. The scale
rows, 16 or 18 on middle of body.
Renarks.—This species has only recently been found in Pa-
lawan and was first reported by Griffin. This is the only Phil-
ippine island where it has been found and there it is said to be
common. It grows to a length of more than 3 meters. Superfi-
cially it resembles Naja hannah Cantor in both size and mark-
ings. It is harmless. It is also known from Java, Sumatra,
Borneo, and the Malay Peninsula.
TABLE 24.—Measurements and scale counts of Zaocys carinatus Gtinther.
No. Sex. Locality. | Collector. ‘Length. Tail. |
ee eeceaer oreg aae
| 1 mm, mm. |
1342; ¢ | 2340 | 558 |
1340 1830 | 465
esi | Saning, °|, Sea — 4
ablais. cale rows. |
| Ven- | Sub- |
No. |trals:|!scaus|==—==-=,- == == = Collection.
| dals. | Upper. Lower.| Neck. | Body. |
[ere erecta | SoeeGere ee oe = | ieee
1342 207 108 9 9 20 16 | Bureau of Science. |
1340 204 | 114 9 a} 20 16 | Do.
| .
Genus HOLARCHUS * Cope
Coronella, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 50.
Xenodon, part., SCHLEGEL, Serp. 2 (1837) 80.
Simotes, parvt., DUMERIL and Bipron, Mém. Ac. Sci. 23 (1853) 472;
Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 624; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 23.
Simotes JAN, Arch. Zool. Anat. Phys. 2 (1863) 232; GUNTHER, Rept.
Brit. India (1864) 212; Borerrcrer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886)
107; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 309; Cat. Snakes
Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 214; Casto pe ELrra, Cat. Fauna Filipinas
1 (1895) 427.
Holarchus Cope, Proc. Am. Philos. Soc. 23 (1886) 488; STEJNEGER,
Bull. U. 8. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 353; GrIFFIN, Philip. Journ.
Sei. § D 6 (1911) 259; TayLor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 13 (1918)
359.
Dicraulax Cope, Am. Nat. (1893) 480.
* Stejneger says: “The generic name Simotes, by which the snakes of
this genus have long been designated is preoccupied by Simotes of Fischer
for a group of mammals as early as 1817. It has consequently to be re-
placed. Cope proposed Holarchus, in 1887, as a term for those species of
the genus which have an undivided anal. It is not believed that this char-
acter alone, which moreover is not always constant, is sufficient ground for
a division of the genus, and as Holarchus is the name next in date after
Simotes it must stand for the combined genus.”
HOLARCHUS 139
“Maxillary teeth 8 to 12, posterior very strongly enlarged and
compressed; mandibular teeth subequal. Head short, not dis-
tinct from neck; eye rather small, with round pupil; rostral
large. Body cylindrical; scales smooth or feebly keeled, in 13
to 21 rows, with or without apical pits; ventrals rounded or
obtusely keeled laterally. Tail short or moderate; subcaudals in
two rows.” (Boulenger.)
The species of this genus are distributed through southern
Asia, China, Japan, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo,
and the Philippines. Four species enter our territory.
Much confusion has resulted from a study of Philippine speci-
mens, particularly Holarchus ancorus, which appears to have
been described from an anomalous specimen.
Key to the Philippine species of Holarchus Cope.
a’. Anal entire.
b*. Third and fourth labials entering eye.
c’. Loreal as long as deep; brown with a pink medial longitudinal
line, and an indistinct lateral line; a row of dim black spots
on second scale row; below bright rose.
H. meyerinkii (Steindachner) (p. 139).
c. Loreal longer than deep; pale brownish to lavender with 19 trans-
verse dark spots; below yellow to bright pink.
H. ancorus (Girard) (p. 140).
b?. Fourth labial entering eye; loreal] absent; pale lavender with 22 or
23 dark blackish brown dorsal blotches; yellowish below with black
Spots-Om Ventral six 22s ee H. maculatus Taylor (p. 148).
a?, Anal divided; fourth labial entering eye; loreal present, little longer
than wide; dark purplish brown with a dull salmon streak dorsally;
22 narrow transverse dark blotches............ H. burksi Taylor (p. 145).
HOLARCHUS MEYERINKII (Steindachner)
PLATE 14; PLATE 17, FIGS. 6 AND 7
Simotes meyerinkii STEINDACHNER, Sitzb. Ak. Wien (1891) 294.
Holarchus meyerlinkii, TAYLOR, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 13 (1918) 360.
Simotes octolineatus BOULENGER var. c., Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2
(1894) 224.
Description of species —(From No. 188, Bureau of Science
collection; collected at Papahag, Sulu Archipelago, October 14,
1917, by E. H. Taylor.) Rostral broader than deep, the portion
seen from above a little more than half its distance from frontal ;
internasals much smaller than prefrontals, the suture between
them little less than that between prefrontals; latter broader
than long, touching only posterior part of nasal; frontal much
longer than wide, longer than its distance from end of snout,
longer and wider than supraocular and longer than parietals;
latter longer than broad, bordered by 2 temporals, and touching
140 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
1 postocular; nasal partially divided, longer than deep; a small
square loreal; preocular twice as long as wide; 2 postoculars,
upper nearly twice as large as lower; temporals 2 + 2, only
first upper touching postoculars; 6 upper labials, third and
fourth entering eye, fifth and sixth rather narrowly in contact;
mental small; 7 lower labials (6 on right side), first 4 horder-
ing first pair of chin shields (3 on right side) ; second pair of
chin shields about half as large as first pair; scales in 17 rows;
162 ventrals, rather angulate; subcaudals, 43; eye moderate,
its diameter equal to its distance from anterior part of nostril.
Color in life.—Above reddish brown, with a median, salmon-
pink, longitudinal stripe covering one whole scale row, and two
half scale rows; each scale of median row with a darker center;
laterally a dim, grayish, longitudinal stripe; on second outer
row of scales a series of dark dots; a series of dim dark spots
on outer edge of ventrals; head darker brown, with elongate
black spots on frontal and on inner part of parietals; a black
stripe runs diagonally from neck to parietal; a dark spot below
eye; belly bright, immaculate, rosy pink.
Measurements of Holarchus meyerinkii (Steindachner).
mm.
Total length 305
Snout to vent 257
Tail 48
Length of head 13
Width of head
Remarks.—This species appears to be confined to the Sulu
Archipelago; the only definite records are Tawitawi and Bongao
Islands. These two records seem to be the only ones other than
the types which are labeled Sulu Islands with no definite local-
ities named. This species is separated from Holarchus octo-
lineatus * on the basis of its distinctive coloration and the
much smaller number of ventral and subeaudal scales.
HOLARCHUS ANCORUS (Girard)
PLATE 17, FIGS. 1 AND 2; PLATE 18, FIG. 3
Xenodon ancorus GIRARD, Proce. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1857)
182; U.S. Expl. Exped., Herp. (1858) 167.
Simotes purpurascens GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 25: PETERS,
Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 684.
Barbour, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv. 44 (1912) 118, states: “H. Meyer-
linkit (Steind.) was doubtless evolved by isolation from specimens of this
species [H. octolineatus] probably derived from Borneo.
HOLARCHUS 14]
Simotes phenochalinus Copg, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia
(1860) 244; BouLENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 225;
BoETTGER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 107; FiscHER, Jahrb.
wiss. Anst. Hamburg 2 (1885) 80; Casto pE ELrerA, Cat. Fauna
Filipinas 1 (1895) 427.
Simotes aphanospilus Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1860)
245; BorTTcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 107.
Simotes ancoralis JAN, Arch. Zool. Anat. Phys. 2 (1863) 283; Icon.
Gén. 11 (1865) pl. 4, fig. 2; STEINDACHNER, Novara, Rept. (1867)
61; MU.ter, III. Nacht. Cat. Herp. Samml. Basel Mus. (1883) 14.
Holarchus phenochalinus GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911)
259.
Holarchus ancorus Taytor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 13 (1918) 361.
Description of species—(From No. R 429, E. H. Taylor col-
lection; collected in Manila, June 15, 1915, by E. H. Taylor.)
(Adult male.) Rostral large, much higher than wide; portion
of rostral seen above nearly equal to its distance from frontal,
sharply pointed behind; internasals,small, wider than deep,
their mutual suture shortest; their longest suture with pre-
frontal; latter nearly twice as wide as deep, the suture between
them somewhat longer than that between internasals; frontal
much wider in front than behind, longer than its distance from
end of snout, little longer than wide, twice the width of supra-
ocular; parietals scarcely longer than wide, equal to or a little
longer than frontal; nasal partially divided, the anterior part
largest; loreal longer than wide; 1 preocular; 2 postoculars;
supraocular twice as long as wide; temporals 1 + 2; 7 upper
labials, third and fourth entering eye; 7 or 8 lower labials, first
4 in contact with first pair of chin shields; mental small, wider
than deep, not in contact with anterior chin shields, which are
one and a half times the length of posterior; scales in 17 smooth
rows with no apical pits; eye large, equal to its distance from
nostril; ventrals, 163; anal single; subcaudals, 42; eye less than
its distance from nostril.
Color in life——Brownish lavender above with a series of
eighteen large, dark, purplish spots edged with black, each
extending across back to first or second row of scales; below
immaculate cream yellow; subcaudals with dull brown spots;
a large anchor-shaped, black-edged spot on nape of neck and
another on head, the front of which forms a band that crosses
head and eyes diagonally and includes fifth and sixth labials;
the main branch of anchor, which runs back medially, increases
in width toward neck where it bifurcates, sending a branch to
each side of neck; a diagonal temporal streak present; traces of
a yellowish vertebral streak visible.
142 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Measurements of Holarchus ancorus (Girard).
mm.
Total length 551
Snout to vent 459
Tail 92
Width of head =
Length of head
Variation.—There seems to be much variation in this species,
as the attached table shows. The only definite localities given
are on Luzon, and it is highly probable that specimens without
locality marks are also from that island. The ventrals vary
between 149 and 165, the subcaudals, between 34 and 43. The
temporals vary equally between 1 + 2 and 2+ 2. One speci-
men (No. 1554, Bureau of Science collection) has only a single
labial (the third) entering the eye; however, there is an obvious
fusion of the third and fourth labials. In No. 700, Bureau of
Science collection, the anchor-shaped marking is disconnected
on the frontal, thus following the marking in H. burksi. In
all the specimens save the one described there are indications of
narrow bands between the larger dark bands; they are usually
represented by a few irregular dots across the body or merely
by lateral dots. No variations are noted in the number of pre-
oculars, postoculars, anals, or loreals.
TABLE 25.—Measurements and scale counts of Holarchus ancorus (Girard).
| No. ie Locality. Lenetie| Tail. vee | St
- | dals.
| |
| mn mm, |
613 ye | Mailers. 80) onset tt dee Re ae ee eee eens | 220 | 26 | 160 | 84
1005) yee «| Renguetes so. oer eee da 280) 45 | 164] 48
162 fal Winkno win sts Ae At be Be see ee es hes es 545 85 | 165 40 |
s20| 2 | Zambales....._.. 475; 65| 163| 37 |
910 | of Bataan ec ate eta sera en ore eee sige 515 85 | 163 | 42 |
1654 | Unlknowaiscnse ete saesce teases sce ceas | 498 87 | 19/43
429 | | Manila...-..----- F | 561 92) 163! 42 |
Spa 1
a= Wee z 5 << i Fae Loe een le, a eae ae =
No. Tabak, labials | Labials entering eye. l oe | Rest | Collection. |
Pen cel
613 7 17| 142. Bureau of Science.
700 7 | 7} 242! Do.
152 7 | 1) 242) Do. |
820 7-8 17; 2+2 Do. |
910 | 1 | sets 142 Do. |
| 17, 242} Do.
1554 | 6 | 17) asp Do. |
429 | 7 | 17 1:2! E. H. Taylor.
HOLARCHUS 143
Remarks.—Boulenger * has placed Xenodon ancorus Girard as
a questioned synonym of this species. The differences are ob-
vious. In X. ancorus there are two preoculars (the lower one
very small) and there are eight upper labials, the fourth and
fifth entering the eye. It is highly probable that this is merely
a variation from the normal, as it otherwise agrees with the
normal form. In one of the specimens (No. 910, Bureau of
Science collection) we have the increased number of labials on
one side, and the fourth and fifth labials entering the eye.
It is probably confined to the Philippines. The reference of
specimens to Java is probably erroneous. The species is small,
and absolutely harmless. It appears very gentle when handled.
This species is not rare in Luzon.
HOLARCHUS MACULATUS Taylor
PLATE 15
Holarchus maculatus TAYLOR, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 13 (1918) 364,
pl. 1.
Description of species.—(From the type, No. 40, E. H. Taylor
collection ; collected at Bunawan, Agusan, August, 1912, by E. H.
Taylor.) Rostral moderate, higher than wide; portion visible
above less than half its distance from rostral; suture between
internasals as large as or larger than prefrontal suture; pre-
frontals much larger than internasals, in contact laterally with
2 labials ; frontal hexagonal in shape, its length equal to parietals,
a little longer than its distance from end of snout; parietals small,
as wide as long; nasal not or at least only partially divided;
nostril pierced near posterior margin; no loreal present; 2 small
preoculars, upper twice as large as lower; supraocular not twice
as long as wide; 2 postoculars; temporals 1-+ 2 (on left side
1+1); 7 upper labials, only fourth entering eye; labials in the
following order of size: sixth, fourth, fifth, seventh, third, second,
first; mental small, twice as wide as deep; 7 lower labials, 3
touching first pair of chin shields, which are larger than second
pair; eye equal to its distance from nostril or minutely less;
scales smooth, in 17 rows; ventrals, 164; anal single; subcaudals
double, 54 in number.
Color in life—Above pale lavender, with a series of twenty-
three broad blackish brown dorsal spots extending laterally to
ventrals; dorsally the spots are seven or eight scales wide, but
narrowed laterally to a width of one or two scales; the spots are
edged with narrow whitish lines; the nuchal band runs forward
* Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 225.
144 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
and stops with a blunt point on frontal scale; a narrow band
crosses head anteriorly and includes eyes; a dark blotch on
temporals, which is connected with this band; small spots on
nasals; chin yellow; on edges of half of the ventrals are small
spots, which involve one or two of the body scales; on each alter-
nate ventral are two larger rectangular spots; throat variously
spotted with dark; ventral surface yellow; below tail yellowish
with very few spots or none.
Measurements of Holarchus maculatus Taylor.
mm.
Total length 299
Snout to vent 240
Tail 59
Length of head 14
Width of head 10.5
Variation —A second specimen taken at the same locality (No.
41, E. H. Taylor collection) is very different in the scalation of
the head, but it seems to be an abnormal specimen. A small
loreal is present on the right side of the head, and the two pre-
oculars are fused into one, on the left side. The first lower
labial on both sides is broken in two, making it appear that there
is a pair of minute chin shields behind the mental. The tem-
poral elements on the right side are not normal, the parietal is
broken, and there are two anterior temporals. In coloration and
marking it is practically identical with the type. Both this and
the type specimen are from Bunawan, Agusan. I collected them
from under piles of sod and trash.
This form is obviously different from other Philippine species.
The markings are distinctive. The loreal is absent, and only a
single labial enters the eye; two preoculars are present. These
characters, together with many minor differences, separate it
from H. meyerinkit and H. ancorus. From H. burisi it is separ-
ated by markings and coloration and the above-mentioned char-
acters, save that of the single labial entering the eye, on which
the two forms agree.
TABLE 26.—/J/easurements and scale counts of Holarchus maculatus Taylor,
eal eal : ee
Volley Hegeslteeeali hee dye | See Je] 4 | |
; | 2 o10 ia S| B Ry
dain | 4 Go fet all eter ee ce aa yee iB A :
No. Locality. tes [as |82 Ba] g 8s AGES Collection.
Ble) & | Oo /28)3-2) Oo laa} 3 | |
| § ae) | %|) 3 i|es os! #1 Ss Sy 5
Ae Pl] ap |A | mA nl a
= |—_ — | = |
mmmm | | |
| 40) Bunawan, Agusan._)299 | 59 |164 | 54 | 7 % 2 2 0 a fas 12 +3\ E. H. Taylor
| | AEN hood oe awe
Es)
ly |
11 |.__..do _../258 | 50 fiez | 54] 7 |
| | |
21! 2-0} 1) a7 {2+8\ Do.
| ‘
HOLARCHUS 145
HOLARCHUS BURKSI Taylor
PLATE 16.
Holarchus burksi Taytor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 13 (1918) 365, pl. 2.
Description of type.—(No. 200, E. H. Taylor collection; col-
lected at Sumagui, Mindoro, December, 1916, by Clark Burks.)
Head rather distinct from neck; rostral high, bending back over
snout, pointed behind; internasals narrowed on inner side, much
wider than long, the suture between them much less than pre-
frontal suture; prefrontals somewhat rectangular, almost twice
as wide as long; frontal shield-shaped, much longer than its
distance from end of snout, equal to parietal in length, not twice
as broad as supraocular but of nearly equal length; parietals as
broad as long, bordered by 2 temporals; nasal undivided, the
anterior portion much the higher; loreal large, longer than wide;
a single elongate preocular, widely separated from frontal; 2
subequal postoculars; temporals 1 + 2; 7 upper labials, fourth
alone entering eye; upper margin of labial series very much
broken; 7 lower labials, 4 touching the large chin shields; second
pair of chin shields about half the size of first pair; scales in 17
rows, smooth; the smallest scales are the dorsal, of angular
shape; laterally, the scales are larger and rounding; ventrals,
154; anal divided; subcaudals, 32.
Color in life——Above grayish brown, becoming more gray later-
ally, with a median, dorsal salmon-pink streak going the length
of body; body traversed by twenty saddlelike blotches which
widen medially to the width of three scales and narrow greatly
laterally, usually to the width of one scale; the blotches are black,
inclosing a gray spot dorsally, the entire blotch edged with a
narrow grayish white line, less apparent medially; between each
two blotches laterally there is a series of two or three small, elon-
gate, white-edged, dark spots, each smaller than a scale; neck
with a forked blotch, each leg of which begins laterally at the
seventh ventral and extends upward and forward where the two
meet medially, some distance behind parietals, and run forward
much narrowed to the middle of frontal; a dark broad line below
eye, which is more or less continuous with a band crossing snout
on or about the anterior level of eyes; a diagonal line beginning
on second ventral runs up to parietals; a spot below nostril and
another on sixth labial; two or three spots on lower labials; four
ventrals on neck with spots; ventrally, an immaculate, brilliant,
rosy pink, almost red toward end of body.
161465——10
146 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Measurements of Holarchus burksi Taylor.
mm.
Total length 381
Snout to vent 334
Tail 47
Width of head Ly
Length of head 13
Remarks.—In markings this species much resembles the Phil-
ippine Holarchus ancorus, but is well differentiated by having the
single labial entering the eye, the undivided nasal, and the divided
anal. It agrees with H. woodmasoni and H. maculatus in having
a single labial entering the eye; the differences from the latter
are pointed out under the discussion of that species; from the
former it differs by a very much reduced number of subcaudals
and ventrals and the undivided anal; the coloration also is totally
different. Its closest affinity seems to be with H. beddomit, which
also has an undivided nasal and a divided anal. This species
differs in having. the fourth and fifth labials entering the eye.
The markings and coloration are also quite different. The
species is named for Mr. Clark Burks, who collected the unique
specimen and presented it to me.
Genus OLIGODON Boie
Oligodon Bork, Isis (1827) 519; Wac LER, Syst. Amph. (1830) 191;
DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 54; GUNTHER, Cat. Col.
Snakes (1858) 20; Rept. Brit. India (1864) 205; JAN, Arch. Zool.
Anat. Phys. 2 (1862) 36; Borrtcrr, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886)
106; BOULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 317; Cat. Snakes
Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 233; Casto pe ELpra, Cat. Fauna Filipisas 1
(1895) 426.
Calamaria, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 25.
Homalosoma, part., JAN, Arch. Zool. Anat. Phys. 2 (1862) 33.
Rhynchocalamus GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1864) 491.
Tripeltis COPE, Proc. Am. Philos. Soc. 23 (1886) 487.
Maxillary teeth, 6 to 8; the posterior somewhat enlarged and
compressed; no pterygoid teeth, the palate being without teeth
or with 2 or 3 on each palatine; head short and not or but slightly
distinct from neck; eye small, pupil round; body cylindrical;
scales in 15 or 17 rows; anal single or double: nasal single or
double.
This genus is closely related to Holarchus, there being no sharp
dividing line between them.
Oligodon is a genus with a large number of species distributed
from northeastern Africa, through southern Asia, and the Malay
Archipelago. Four species have been described from the Phil-
ippines.
OLIGODON 147
Key to the Philippine species of Oligodon Boie.*
a’. Scales in 15 rows; anal entire.
b*. One postocular.
c’. No loreal; dark brown with a yellowish vertebral streak; below
yellowish with large, rectangular, black spots; chevron-shaped
bands on head. Southern Negros.... 0. modestus Giinther (p. 147).
ce’. A small loreal; dark purplish brown above with yellow dots and
a series of 18 large, rhomboidal, brownish yellow, black-edged
spots; yellowish below. Mindanao and Balabac.
0. notospilus Gtinther (p. 148).
b’. Two postoculars; loreal present; dark purplish brown above with 11
small, dark red, dark-edged rhomboidal spots along back; ventral
surface rose red. Palawan............... 0. iwahigensis Griffin (p. 149).
a’. Seales in 15 rows; anal divided; dark gray above, with a series of
small white spots with black edges on back; orange beneath.
Busuangan sree wae 0. schadenbergi Boettger (p. 151).
All of these species are small and appear to be very rare, as
only one or two specimens of each have been collected.
OLIGODON MODESTUS Giinther
PLATE 13, FIGS. 3 To 5
Oligodon modestus GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 210; Proc.
Zool. Soc. London (1879) 77; Borrtcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges.
(1886) 106; BouLENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 238, pl.
10, fig. 8; CAsTo DE ELera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 426;
GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 260; Tayzor, Philip.
Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917) 359.
Description of species—(From Boulenger.) ‘Nasal divided;
portion of rostral seen from above ag long as its distance from
the frontal; suture between the internasals a little shorter than
that between the preefrontals; frontal longer than its distance
from the end of the snout, as long as the parietals; no loreal;
one pre- and one postocular; temporals 1 + 2 or 1 + 3; six upper
labials, third largest and entering the eye; three or four lower
labials in contact with the anterior chin-shields, which are longer
than the posterior. Scales in 15 rows. Ventrals 158-170; anal
entire; subcaudals 41. Dark brown above, with a yellowish
vertebral streak; a yellowish chevron-shaped band on the occi-
put; lower parts yellowish, with quadrangular black spots.”
Measurements of Oligodon modestus Giinther.
mm.
Total length 350
Snout to vent 295
Tail 55
*Casto de Elera lists O. sublineatus Giinther as occurring in Samar.
This is probably erroneous.
148 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Remarks.—The type, collected by H. Cuming, is reported from
“Philippine Islands;” the exact locality is no longer known. A
specimen is recorded from southern Negros, taken by’A. Everett,
Both these specimens are males. I failed to find this species in
my collecting in central and northern Negros; if it occurs there,
it is probably very rare.
OLIGODON NOTOSPILUS Gunther
PLATE 7, FIG. 2; PLATE 17, FIGS. 3 TO 5; PLATE 18, Fic. 1
Oligodon notospilus GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1873) 169,
pl. 18, fig. A; BorTrcEr, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 106; BoULEN-
GER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus? 2 (1894) 239; CAsTo DE ELERA, Cat.
Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 426; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D
6 (1911) 260.
Description of species.—(From No. 242, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at Balabac, 1916, by C. M. Weber.) (Adult
female.) Head not or but slightly distinct from neck, with
snout moderately blunt; rostral high, bent over snout, portion
visible above shorter than its distance from frontal; inter-
nasals four-sided, narrowed medially, the sutures with pre-
frontals and nasals largest, the suture with the latter slightly
smaller than that with the former but much larger than the
sutures with rostral; prefrontals about twice as large as inter-
nasals, extending laterally to below level of middle of eye; suture
between prefrontals little larger than that between internasals;
sutures formed with frontal and internasals largest, subequal;
frontal distinctly longer than its distance from end of snout,
a little longer than wide, two to two and a half times as wide as
supraocular, but little shorter than parietals; latter about as
broad as long, narrowly separated from fifth labial, bordered
by 2 temporals and a postparietal scale larger than body scales;
nasal apparently divided; loreal small, distinctly longer than
wide; a single preocular larger than loreal; supraocular elongate,
about twice as long as wide, more than half the length of
frontal; rather large postocular; temporals 1 + 2, set diagon-
ally; 7 upper labials, third and fourth entering eye; 8 lower
labials, 4 touching first pair of chin shields, which are larger
than second pair; scales in 15 rows; ventrals; 139: anal single;
subcaudals, 35.
Color in aleohol.—Dark purplish brown above with numerous
yellow spots, suggesting a reticulated pattern, and a series of
eighteen median, rhomboidal, yellowish brown spots. with
blackish edges; head yellowish brown with two chevron-shaped
dark bands, the anterior including the eyes; the second band
" OLIGODON 149
rises from fourth ventral, passes across angle of jaw, and ends
in a point on frontal; behind this is a similar chevron-shaped
band of yellowish brown reaching frontal; a few irregular
blotches on labials and throat; belly yellowish.
Measurements of Oligodon notospilus Giinther.
mm.
Total length 345
Snout to vent 7 292
Tail 53
Width of head 10
Length of head 13
Remarks.—This species has been known only from the type
since its discovery about 1870 in Mindanao. The specimen here
described agrees remarkably well with the type description.
In coloration and markings it is identical with the description
and the plate. The variation in the ventral count is only four;
the subcaudal count is identical. In the specimen at hand the
subcaudals are all divided, and there are four instead of three
lower labials touching the first pair of chin shields.
OLIGODON IWAHIGENSIS Griffin
PLATE 18, FIG. 2
Oligodon iwahigensis GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 598;
§ D 6 (1911) 260.
Description of species.—(From the type specimen, No. R 16,
Bureau of Science collection; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, by
W. Schultze.) Maxillary teeth 6, 2 teeth on each palatine;
head not or scarcely distinct from neck, much narrowed on
snout; rostral about as high as wide, well visible from above,
pointed behind; sutures with anterior nasa] largest, the portion
of rostral seen from above shorter than its distance from
snout; internasals about half as large as prefrontals, their
shortest sides joining, the suture between them equal or nearly
equal to that between prefrontals; latter wider than deep, the
suture with frontal largest, that with loreal smallest; frontal
but little longer than wide, almost a regular hexagon, more
than twice as wide as supraoculars and longer, its length
greater than its distance from end of snout; parietals longer
than frontal, in contact with 1 postocular, much narrowed
behind; nostril between 2 nasals, the anterior largest, both
touching first labial; loreal small, little more than half the size
of preocular; 1 preocular, higher than wide; 2 postoculars, the
upper largest; temporals 1-+ A the anterior in contact with
the 2 postoculars; 7 upper labials, third and fourth entering
150 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
eye, sixth largest, first smallest; 7 lower labials, first 4 in
contact with anterior chin shields, which are much larger than
second pair; mental wider than deep, separated from first pair
of chin shields; scales smooth, rounded, in 15 rows; no apical
pits evident; 139 ventrals; subcaudals, 36; anal entire; tail
ending in a sharp point, slender.
Color.—Dark purplish brown above with eleven small, light
brown, rhomboidal spots along back; lateral scales finely
flecked with white dots; occasional, larger white spots present;
upper surface of head gray-brown, with a chevron-shaped, brown
band passing through eyes, rather dim between eyes; a second
chevron-shaped, dark-brown band on neck, its point nearly con-
fluent with middle of first band; behind this a similar stripe of
lighter brown, wider on side than medially; a dark spot on
sixth upper labial and another on fourth and fifth lower labials;
two distinct spots on anterior chin shields; chin with various
small spots; throat with a large blotch confluent with the
chevron-shaped neck band; remainder of ventral surface uniform
coral red (cream color in alcohol). The body coloration extends
slightly on the ventral scales.
Measurements of Oligodon twahigensis Griffin.
2 8
3
Total length 324
Snout to vent 267
Tail 57
Width of head 8.5
Length of head 12.5
Variation.—No variation in scalation is observable save that
in No. R 923 the anal is divided. Both specimens have a small
scale inserted between the last ventral and the anal. The
coloration and marking are the same.
Remarks.—I am not yet fully convinced as to the distinctness
of this species from O. schadenbergi. The latter species is de-
scribed as follows: “Anal divided—dark gray above with white
black-edged spots,—orange below,” whereas the present species
has the anal entire and is purplish brown above with small,
red, black-edged spots, and rose below. However the color of
the type of O. wahigensis easily fits the color scheme of 0.
schadenbergi since it has been preserved in alcohol. The anal
character would separate them, were it constant; but the fact
that, of the two specimens of O. iwahigensis examined, one has
the anal single and the other double, leads me to suspect that
the two forms may be the same, and that one or the other
OLIGODON 151
of the types is anomalous with respect to that character. This
question will not be satisfactorily settled until the types, or a
series of specimens from both type localities, can be compared.
From O. notospilus it differs in coloration and markings, the
former having eighteen instead of eleven spots.
TABLE 27.—Measurements and scale counts of Oligodon iwahigensis
Griffin.
| No. Locality. Collector. Length.| Tail.
eae eete as = AE Se eee Si AS
mm | mm
RB; l6cty pel ss=2-see se sas2 Iwahig, Palawan_-------- W.. Schultzeeeescese esse 324 | 57
R923 ty Dei ses ss tess 4 Oya se chee eA wee eS oe G. A. amb. 3224-2 22.2-.535- 330 | 60
k
No. Ven- Subcau- Anale.| Scale |Postoc- Collection:
| trals. | dals. rows. | ulars.
Re AGsctypem ste oan | 139 36 1} 16 2 | Bureau of Science.
| ee type ook eerie 142 36 2 15 2 | Do. |
OLIGODON SCHADENBERGI Boettger
Oligodon schadenbergi BorETTGER, Abh. Mus. Dresden 7 (1894-95) 4;
GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 260.
Description of species.—(After the type description.) From
Oligodon vertebralis Giinther, of South Borneo, it is distin-
guished by a shorter, blunter head; by a frontal two and a half
to three times as wide as the supraocular; by a smaller loreal;
and by the internasal suture which is distinctly shorter than the
prefrontal suture; the ventral counts are smaller (145-147
as against 154) and the subcaudals are fewer (39 as against
54). Head short, snout blunt; nasal large, divided; part of
rostral visible above about as long as prefrontal suture; in-
ternasal suture considerably shorter than prefrontal suture;
frontal somewhat longer than its distance from end of snout,
somewhat shorter than parietals, broadly hexangular, at least
two and a half times wider than supraocular; a small trape-
zoidal loreal; 1 preocular, and 2 postoculars; 7 upper labials,
third and fourth entering eye; 4 lower labials touching first
chin shields, which are almost twice the length of second;
scales in 15 rows; ventrals, 145 to 147; anal divided; subcau-
dals, 38 or 39.
Color.—Above dark gray strongly contrasted with the orange-
colored underside; marked as Oligodon bitorquatus Boie, with
very small, black-edged spots in a netlike pattern; head yellowish
brown with two broad crossbands (as in O. vertebralis Giinther) ;
152 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
a spot under nostril; edges of lower jaw and throat with larger
plotches of darker; under tail brick red; sometimes with a
median series of larger, white, black-edged dots.
Remarks.—The types consist of two adults and a half-grown
specimen from Busuanga. I failed to obtain specimens of this
rare snake during my recent visit to Busuanga. Only the types
are known.
Genus GONYOSOMA Wagler
Gonyosoma WAGLER, Icon. Amph. (1828) Nat. Syst. Amph. (1830)
184; DumMeRIL and Brpron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 213; GUNTHER,
Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 122; Rept. Brit. India (1864) 298; BorrtT-
GER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 110; Casto pE ELpera, Cat. Fauna
Filipinas 1 (1895) 432.
Coluber, part., Bore, Isis (1827) 537; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India,
Rept. (1890) 330; ScLATER, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 60 (1891) 289;
BouLencer, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 24.
Herpetodryas, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1887) i189; CANTOR,
Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 80.
Tyria FITziNGeR, Neue Class. Rept. (1843) 60.
Body compressed; ventrals more than 200, slightly keeled,
turning up on sides; snout subacuminate; teeth smooth, equal
in length; 1 preocular, 2 postoculars; eye small, pupil round; head
shields regular; head slender, distinct from neck; scales smooth
or feebly keeled; scales in 23 to 27 rows; tail long; subcaudals
double.
The genus is not a large one and has frequently been regarded
as belonging to the genus Hlaphe. This association however is
not warranted. One species,* Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Boie),
enters the Philippines. The snakes of this species are arboreal
in habit and feed largely on small mammals and birds. Giin-
ther + states that they are of fierce disposition, and that in order
to strike, they raise the anterior third of the body from the
eround. They are harmless to man.
GONYOSOMA OXYCEPHALUM (Boie)
Coluber oxycephalus Bork, Isis (1827); BOULENGER, Fauna Brit.
India, Rept. (1890) 335; ScLaTER, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 60 (1891)
239; BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 56.
Gonyosoma viride WAGLER, Icon. Amph. (1828) pl. 9.
Herpetodryas oxycephalus SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 189, pl.
7, figs. 8 and 9; Abbild. (1844) pl. 44, figs. 1-9; CANToR, Cat. Mal.
Rept. (1847) 80.
* Casto de Elera’s record of Gonyosoma frenatum Gray is very probably
erroneous, as that species is confined to India.
+ Rept. Brit. India (1864) 294.
GONYOSOMA 158
Alopecophis chalybeus Gray, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. II 4 (1849)
247.
Gonyosoma oxycephalum DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854)
213; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 122; Rept. Brit. India
(1864) 294; Pretrers, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 688; JAN, Icon. Gén.
(1869) 31, pl. 1; SvroticzKa, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 39 (1870),
193; 42 (1873) 123; THEOBALD, Cat. Rept. Brit. India (1876) 189;
Borttcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 110; Casto pE ELrra, Cat.
Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 482; BarBour, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool.
Harvard Coll. 44 (1912) 116; Tayztor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D
12 (1917) 359.
Elaphe oxycephala GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 597;
§ D 6 (1911) 260.
Description of species—(From No. 231, Bureau of Science
collection ; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, October, 1910, by C. H.
Lamb.) Body slender, elongate, compressed; tail elongate, slen-
der; head narrow, subacuminate, slightly distinct from neck; ros-
tral about one-third broader than high, visible above, its suture
with nasal nearly double that with internasals or first labials;
internasals as wide as deep, their mutual suture equal to that
with prefrontals, a little longer than wide, five-sided, bending
low on side of head, broadly in contact with loreal and pre-
ocular; frontal large, equal to its distance from rostral, about
one-eighth longer than wide, in contact with preocular, much
longer and wider than supraoculars; parietals longer than wide,
larger than frontal, bending down on sides of head, touching
only upper postoculars; nasal divided, the anterior part largest;
loreal nearly three times as long as wide, touching 3 labials; pre-
cular three times the size of loreal, touching 3 labials and
frontal; 2 postoculars, the superior more than twice as large
as the inferior; 2 anterior temporals, the lower barely in con-
tact with lower preocular, the upper touching both; temporal
formula, 2 + 3 -+-3; 9 upper labials, anterior ones higher than
wide, sixth and seventh entering orbit, ninth and eighth
largest; 13 lower labials, 5 pairs in contact with anterior chin
shields, which are about three times ag large as posterior; eye
small, its diameter contained in length of snout about three
times; 30 scale rows on neck, 25 rows around body, smooth
anteriorly but more or less distinctly keeled on latter half of
body; scales sharp-pointed posteriorly, the median row not en-
larged, the outer slightly so; ventrals, 246; anal divided; sub-
caudals, 133, in double rows; ventrals and subcaudals slightly
keeled, the edges bending up on sides, slightly notched at
bend.
154 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Color in life.—Above bright yellowish to whitish green,
growing more yellowish green on sides; anterior part of scales,
and skin between scales, tinged with bluish slate or cream
yellow; skin, when distended, shows dim diagonal bars of
darker and lighter color; head olive, labials greenish, tail
yellowish drab to flesh color, anterior part of scales with dim
dark edge; below more yellowish than on sides, inner sutures
of subcaudals edged with darker; chin, throat, and belly cream
yellow; outer edges of ventrals greenish.
Measurements of Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Boie).
mm.
Total length 1,965
Snout to vent 1,480
Tail 485
Length of head 52
Width of head Qe.
Variation.—Philippine specimens examined have the follow-
ing variations in scale counts: Ventrals, 240 to 253; subcau-
dals, 122 to 135; upper labials, 8 to 11; and lower labials, 12
to 15. One specimen (No. 415, Bureau of Science collection)
has the right inte:nasal and the two right nasals fused into a
single scale. No. 327 (E. H. Taylor collection) has the head
blackish with a longitudinal dark line on side of head, and with
much dark color on body scales.
Boulenger * gives the variation in scale counts as follows:
Ventrals, 233 to 263; subcaudals, 122 to 149; 9 to 11 upper
labials, 2, rarely 3, entering eye; scales in 23 to 27 rows around
body. His specimen “g’? from the Philippines (exact locality
unknown) has 27 scale rows. The largest specimen he lists
measures 2,300 millimeters in length; the tail, 480.
Remarks.—This large arboreal snake probably attains a
length of 2.5 meters. It is not rare in the Philippines, but is
confined largely to forested or mountainous districts. Speci-
mens I have observed in a wild state were usually coiled about
branches of trees. One young specimen captured was coiled
under a small fallen log. In the Philippines it has been taken
in Luzon (several localities), Palawan, Balabac, and Negros.
It probably occurs in all of the larger islands. It is also
known from Tenasserim, Malay Peninsula, Java, Borneo, and
the Natuna Islands. The snake is not poisonous.
“Gat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 57.
|
|
|
=
+
ELAPHE 155
TABLE 28.—Measurements and scale counts of Gonyosoma oxycephalum
(Boie).
Sex Sub-
No. Locality. Collector. or Length. Tail. ; Sk cau-
age rare dals. |
| | mm. | mm. | |
229 | Iwahig, Palawan..........-. C.M.Weber_.... 7 1435 325 253 127 |
eee ee ere a Se Ree C. H. Lamb -_.__- - 1815 460 246 133 |
281: |-.<2 fares mene ea ie eee ee eel eee dover ern 9 1965 485, 246 188
1B) [eae Glaeser pee ere eRe C. M. Weber -..-., 1630375) 240, 1385
907) “Balabat <v2cesce--oces2 e223 eee cl Reneereeeee o 1155, 260247122 |
1100 | Los Bafios, Laguna.........- |E.H.Taylor...... ye | 450° 80 245| (a) |
| | |
a a an a areal oan raat | | - —s
| Labials. | Seale rows.
ke = Sane aaeenaa |
| | | | :
No | Anals see hea | | Collection. |
Upper. | Lower.) “ye chin | Neck. | Body. | }
| | ve shields. | |
|
) ioe || aan i} ee, ro oe | ere) Sei ke pam tome eae eae ary
229 | 2 | 9 14 6,7 6 31) 25 | Bureau of Science. |
230 | 2) 10-11 14 6,7 6 a1) 25 | Do.
231 | 2 | 9 13] 6,7 6| 30 2 De. |
415 2) 9 16 6,7 6 | 29 | 25 Do. i
327 2 9! uj) oe7) 6) 29, 2 EB. H. Taylor.
1100 2 8-9 | 12 5,6 | 6
« Mutilated.
Genus ELAPHE Fitzinger
Coluber Botk, Isis (1826) 209; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864)
237; BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 24.
Elaphe FITZINGER, in Wagler’s Descr. et Icon. Amphib. 3 (1833) pl.
27; STEJNEGER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 3807.
Plagiodon DUMERIL and Bisron, Mem. Ac. Sci. 23 (1853) 447; Evp.
Gén. 7 (1854) 170.
Elaphis BONAPARTE, Mem. Acad. Sci. Torino II 2 (1840) 402.
Composoma (non Serv.) DUMERIL and BiBron, Mem. Ac. Sci. 23
(1858) 453; Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 291; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India
(1864) 243.
The name Hlaphe must stand for this genus as is shown by
Stejneger; and Coluber,* the usually accepted name, must be
used for the genus of poisonous vipers, usually known as Vipera.
Two fairly well-defined species of this genus are found in the
Philippines.
Key to the Philippine species of Elaphe Fitzinger.
a. Ventrals, 216 to 283; subcaudals, 87 to 100; markings on head and neck
wanting or indistinct; young, with narrow dim whitish transverse
White: barsiie.s i. o8 ee E. erythrura (Duméril and Bibron) (p. 156).
a. Ventrals, 223 to 238; subcaudals, 108 to 110; markings on head and neck
distinct; young, brown with black transverse bars inclosing light spots
E. philippina Griffin (p. 159).
* Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 443.
156 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPRINE ISLANDS
ELAPHE ERYTHRURA (Duméril and Bibron)
Plagiodon erythrurus DUMERIL and Bipron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 175;
PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 684; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. Milan
(1863) 61; Icon. Gén. (1867) 21, pl. 4, fig. 2; STEINDACHNER, Sitzb.
Ak. Wien. c. 1 (1891) 141.
Composoma melanurwn var. DUMERIL and BiBron, Erp. Gen. 7 (1854)
301; GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1873) 169; Mt rer, III.
Nacht. Cat. Herp. Samml. Basel Mus. (1883) 14 (var.); FISCHER,
Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg 2 (1885) 80 and 101 var.
Elaphis subradiatus, part., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 95.
Spilotes melanurus, part., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 97,
Elaphis melanurus var. manillensis JAN, Icon. Gén. 21 (1867) pl. 4,
figs 2:
Elaphe melanurum var. cclebensis JAN, Icon. Gen. 21 (1867) pl. 5,
figs 2s
Composoma melanurum var. erythrurum FISCHER, Jahrb. wiss. Anst.
Hamburg 2 (1885) 101; BortTrcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1856)
108 (var. erythrura).
Eluphe erythrura GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D5 (1910) 213; § D6
(1911) 260; Taybor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917) 359.
Description of species—(From No. 69, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao, July 15, 1913,
by E. H. Taylor.) (Adult male.) Rostral higher than wide,
visible above, forming its longest suture with anterior nasal;
its sutures with prefrontals and labials subequal; suture between
internasals short, less than length of internasal scale, and con-
tained in prefrontal suture two and a half times; internasal
broader than long, bordering edge of nostril; prefrontals more
than twice as long as internasals, the suture formed with the
latter and that with frontal subequal, its shortest suture with
posterior nasal; frontal longer than broad, its length equal to
its distance from end of snout, much wider than supraoculars;
parietals narrow, longer than frontal; 2 nasals, posterior
highest; loreal diagonal, longer than high; prefrontal very
large, visible from above, separated from frontal, in contact
with third and fourth labials; 2 postoculars, upper largest;
temporals 2+ 2; 9 upper labials, fourth, fifth, and sixth en-
tering eye; 11 lower labials, 5 touching anterior chin shieids,
which are shorter and broader than posterior; scales in 23 rows
about neck, 21 rows about body, all except outer row keeled: ven-
trals, 221; anal single; subcaudals, 100.
Color in life-——Anterior half of body drab to brownish olive
above, lighter on sides, two indistinct yellowish bands on neck
and a series of small indistinct spots along edge of ventrals
of neck; top of head dark olive; latter part of body dark with
an irregular mixture of reddish scales; tail reddish salmon.
ELAPHE 157
The transitions in color are gradual. Anterior half of belly
immaculate brown-yellow, edges of ventrals having the lateral
body color; ventrals on latter part of belly spotted irregularly
with dark gray to black; tail immaculate below.
Measurements of Elaphe erythrura (Duméril and Bibron).
mm.
Total length 1,080
Snout to vent 815
Tail 265
Length of head 30
Width of head 17.5
Variation.—Three other specimens from the same immediate
locality as the one described agree very well in scalation; the
ventrals range between 217 and 225; the subcaudals, from 96
to 100; there are 6 lower labials touching the anterior chin
shields. There is some inconsequent variation of the dorsal
coloration.
Negros specimens are very different from the described speci-
men in coloration; the entire posterior part of the body is dark
bluish black, and the ventrals of the posterior part of the body
and the subcaudals are grayish black. The scale formule are
practically identical with those of the Luzon and Mindanao
forms; otherwise they would merit subspecific distinction. The
young of Negros specimens are dark brown anteriorly with nar-
row, transverse, lighter areas on the skin between the scales;
along the middle part of the body the light color forms a network;
the tail is black, and the outer side of the porieey part of the
body is drab.
Specimens from Luzon are uniform brown to reddish olive,
the edges of the scales usually slightly darker, and the tail
usually a lighter reddish brown; below the belly is immaculate
yellowish; young Luzon specimens are a uniform brown, or are
traversed by numerous very narrow, dim, whitish bars, the
white being chiefly confined to the skin between the scales.
Sometimes a dim dark spot is visible below, and another behind
the eye; the inside of the throat is black.
One Polillo specimen resembles the specimens from Negros
in having the posterior part of the body dark.
Remarks.—This common species is abundant wherever found.
It is known from Mindanao, Luzon, Negros, Polillo, and Mindoro.
Boulenger * and.Griffin report the species from Palawan, but
I regard this as doubtful. The species is also known from
* Boulenger’s record, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. VI 14 (1894) 82, very
probably refers to E. philippina Griffin.
158 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Celebes. The species feeds on mammals and birds and is harm-
less to man.
TABLE 29.—Measurements and scale counts of Elaphe erythrura (Duméril
and Bibron).
a
| : sei ere
No. | Locality. Collector. 3 Fy a
| | | 4 2 | = & ee
| ja | a Poe ee
sacs ts Be et ee = | |} —_|— sel
| | | mm. es |
276 | Dumaguete, Occidental Negros .- Eskridge ____----- | Q | 1,550 | 333 | 226 | 97
277 | Cadiz, Occidental Negros __.........-.. A. Celestino_.__-_- rofl 1,295 | 298 | 222 | 97
278 | Victorias, Occidental Negros H. M. Curran_-_-_-_- 2 1,490 320 226 © 96
279 | Polillo C. Canonizado - g 1,410 | 290 281 | 986
175 | Occidental Negros__._-.....-.---.----! E. H. Taylor_____. mae: 1,330 | 282 | 224 998
Pee LE ere Oe 5 0 TE aa oe TO en ole eae ea dtandeawes S | 1,410, 290 218 (b) |
LIGe| Soa dog see ddan ee eee adic talee ce 6. 2-2scc-e2=4}| @ || Ayadov! aig) “216: 99 |
| S 1,400 (%) 210 | 892 |
! 1,150 255 2227) 92) |
d 1,470 305 215 | 9&8
ie) 1, 285 260 225 90 |
Pot ll Cee Covete® See Meas Penne ns kn en GABAA Lad OVA SAA Seen ott 1,310 (b) 218 | 2&3
fof 1,560 | 340 224) 94
\ , 1, 480 300 , 218} 89 |
| o 1,222 270 225 97 |
S 1,840) () 2221 (o) |
| & 1,370) 310! 217! 96 |
>} 1,180) 265 | 221 | 100 |
|
| Seale rows. Labials. |
HW = ———=
| | | v a a
_ No. | | 2 oa g Collection.
| Pm Pe zs g
| ad | eS a vo o co a
oO 3 2 a Z Sis £
| oO iS) ie} fiz fe) ou v
| Zz a a D Ss a
| } {
| 276 23 | 21 | 4, 5, 6 9 10 5 2}2 Bureau of Science.
bh S2t 23 | 21 | 4,5, 6 | 9 1l Gy Pere2
| 278] e383) 21/4,5,6)] 9 ul 6) 242
|
| 279 23| 21 | 45,6 9} 11-12 6-5 | 2+2
175 23 | 21 | 4, 5, 6 91} 11-10 Boy Ake
178 23 a1 | 4,5, 6 9 u 6) 242
|
|) v9.5 23 21 | 4, 6,6 9 ll 6! 242
| age 23 | 21 | 4,5, 6 9 10 5] 242
284 | os 21 | 4,5, 6 9 | 11 | 5 | 2+2
286 | 23 21 | 4,5, 6 9 11] 6| 242!
286) 28 21 | 4,5, 6 9 va Bi 2+2 |
es7| 23 21 | 4, 5, 6 of ou 5; 242 |
288 28 21 | 4, 6,6! q ul 6) 242
289 23 a1 4,5, 6 9-8 | ul 5) 242
66 23 21 | 4, 5, 6 9| oa] 6 242 |
67 23 21 | 1,5, 6 9 11 | 6| 242 |
68 28 21 | 4, 5, 6 9} 10-11 | 65) 2
69 23 4, 5,6 9 ll | Gap ee
“Tip of tail missing. > Mutilated.
ELAPHE 159
ELAPHE PHILIPPINA Griffin
Elaphe philippina GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 597; §
D6 (1911) 260.
Elaphe erythrura Taytor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 13 (1918) 260.
Description of species.*—(From No, 291, Bureau of Science
collection ; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, February, 1909, by C. M.
Weber.) Head elongate, rather slender; rostral strongly visible
above; internasals a little broader than deep, bordering nostril
above, forming a longer suture with anterior nasal than with
posterior; prefrontals nearly three times the size of internasals,
in contact with supraoculars; frontal longer than wide, scarcely
as long as its distance from end of snout, as long as supraoculars,
distinctly shorter than parietals; parietals much longer than
broad, in contact with 2 temporals and both postoculars; 2 nasals ;
loreal as long as high; a single large preocular; 2 postoculars;
temporals 2 + 2, the 2 anterior in contact with sixth labial, nei-
ther touching superior postocular, and only upper anterior tem-
poral touching inferior postocular; 9 upper labials, fourth, fifth,
and sixth entering orbit, seventh, eighth, and ninth largest; 11
lower labials, 5 touching anterior chin shields, which are broader
but shorter than posterior pair; latter pair barely in contact ante-
riorly, bordering labials their entire length; scales forming
straight longitudinal rows, the 8 median rows keeled on anterior
part of body, about 12 keeled rows on posterior part of body;
scales with apical pits in 23 rows around neck, and 21 on body;
scales on body rounded anteriorly and pointed behind; ventrals
obtusely keeled laterally, not notched, 236; anal undivided; sub-
caudals divided, 104. +
Color in alcohol—Above brown with the larger part of the
scales dimly dark edged, and light areas on skin between scales;
anterior part of body and neck with black crossbars, inclosing
yellowish spots laterally ; these become dimmer posteriorly ; about
twelve can be distinguished. Head brown above; upper labials
yellowish; a black spot below eye; a distinct diagonal black line
from eye to mouth, reaching ninth labial; a distinct diagonal
stripe from posterior temporals across angle of jaws to ventrals,
reaching tenth ventral; belly and underside of tail yellowish, the
vertical part of ventrals gray.
* Griffin had five specimens before him, no particular one of which was
designated as the type. The specimen here described is No. 17 of the
type series.
+ Griffin gives 94, which is incorrect.
160 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Measurements of Elaphe ph ilippina Griffin.
Total length 1,420
Snout to vent 1,113
Tail 307
Length of head 32
Width of head 16
Variation.—The young differ from the adults in the distinct-
ness of the markings; more than 20 transverse bands are evident,
but they do not extend as far back as the tail; posterior fourth
of body and the tail uniform brown. The ventrals range between
223 and 242; subcaudals, between 103 and 110. :
TABLE 30.—Measurements and scale counts of Elaphe philippina Griffin.
F
| 4
{ No. Locality. Collector. Ss er ee |
| | _| & | eo 8b
n 4 & > n
| | mm. mm,
BiT4i | Balabaces. 2. oak eot eee C.M. Weber..----. @ 1,385 300 286 | 103
fy 2615: | seer AG anaes doin 9 | 1,465) 315} 288 | 108
| 290 | Iwahig, Palawan .........-----------[----+ choyntaeeeess 9 1,410 320 282 | 107
[h) Seg [ees Ela eae e commas as ssemeannen teks LOPES Re aaa 3 2 11,420. 307, 236 | 104
| 292) | TN eieRie eeeeNiI tl. T ee. 0 See RRS EN One Aa eee g 1,360 | 810) 284/ 110 |
DOT neers 1 tec barb hte AEA ene tell onan Gunn Ze Bean ad| pee) tally 290 Wino opal, sD86s) 105
294 | Taytay, Palawan _.-._----...--.----- L. E. Griffin. ___-_-- fe 1,380 (a) 230, (a)
| 295 | Iwahig, Palawan ....----- Corse eeena| (Cl Tam ce boas sc = 14,495! (a) | 933] () |
DOT iatkad One art nt ee ata ey ee a Gorka tee @ | 1,225 276 242 | 106
ff ee fe me ce @ |) 1,160; 265! 238) 107 |
Sees eer Ong ao M2222 an aes es ate ate pee Ey aloe ee 1,360 340 223 | 107 |
ereeizia BM SCO terete terete oe ice ek ey Ae ae ec Se ie ene GL Gye eth eee eet of 720 (a) 236, (#)
Seale rows Labials.
\. = ee = ee
| No. | : | : oe | : & | é E Collection. |
o p08}; | ee igeel 8
Z a je | P| A jess; 6 |
511d 23 21: 4,5,6 9 rr 5 242) ELH. Taylor.
| 5115 23) 2 4,6,6 9 u 6-5 242 Des
| 290 23 | 21! 4,5,6 9 ilk 6 2+2 Bureau of Science.
291 23 21 4,5,6 9 ll 5 242 Do.
292 23 21| 45,6. 9 | 11 | 5B| 242 Do.
293 23 21) 4,6,6 9} ou 5 | 242 Do.
294 23] 21) 4,6,6 9 11 Bi 242 Do
295 23 21) 4,5,6 9 11 | 5! 242 Do.
297 23 21) 4,5,6 9 ul B, O49 Do.
| (208), -231| 21} 4,5,6 9 11 | 5) 2+2 Do.
i 23] 21) 45,6 | 9) 4! 5) 242 Do
erent 23] 211 4,6,6 9) 11-12 6-6 | 242 Do.
® Mutilated.
LIOPELTIS 161
Remarks.—The species differs from Elaphe erythrura Duméril
and Bibron in a higher average of ventrals and subcaudals; the
average for EH. philippina is about 235 for ventrals, and 106 for
subcaudals; while in F. erythrura ventrals average 221 and sub-
cuadals 93. The markings are distinctive, as shown by Griffin;
the head is slenderer in EF. philippina. The types are from Pa-
lawan. Specimens have since been taken in Busuanga, Balabac,
and Bongao. The species feeds largely on birds and small mam-
mals. It probably never eats reptiles or amphibians. It is
absolutely harmless to man.
Genus LIOPELTIS Fitzinger
Coronella, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1887) 50.
Herpetodryas, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 173.
Liopeltis FITZINGER, Syst. Rept. (1843) 26; STEJNEGER, Bull. U. S.
Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 3387.
Ablabes, part., DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 304;
GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 27; Rept. Brit. India (1864)
223.
Cyclophis, part., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 119; Rept. Brit.
India (1864) 229.
Eurypholis HALLOWELL, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1860)
493 and 559; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 81.
Phragmitophis GUNTHER, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. III 9 (1862) 126.
Homalosoma, part., JAN, Arch. Zool. Anat. Phys. 2 (1862) 33.
Liopeltis, part., COPE, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1860) 559;
JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 81.
Diadophis, part., JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 261.
Ablabes BOULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 304; Cat. Snakes
Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 277.
Entacanthus Cope, Rep. U. S. Nat. Mus. (1898) 780.
“Maxillary teeth small, equal, 15 to 30; mandibular teeth sub-
equal. Head not or scarcely distinct from neck; eye rather small
or moderate, with round pupil; loreal present or absent; nasal
entire or divided. Body cylindrical, usually slender; scales
smooth or feebly keeled, without apical pits, in 13 to 17 rows;
ventrals not angulate * laterally. Tail moderate or long; sub-
caudals in two rows.” (From Boulenger’s description of
Ablabes.)
The snakes belonging to this genus are distributed over south-
ern and eastern Asia, Japan, Malay Peninsula, and the East
Indies. Two species enter the Philippines. One is the widely
distributed Liopeltis tricolor (Schlegel) ; the other, Liopeltis
philippinus (Boettger), is probably endemic.
* Slightly angulate in certain species—E. H. T.
161465——11
162 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
The snakes are small, probably neither species attaining a
length of more than two-thirds of a meter. They are probably
arboreal in habit. Both species appear to be rare in the Philip-
pines. They are absolutely harmless and are very gentle when
handled.
Key to the Philippine species of Liopeltis Fitzinger.
a’. Nostril between nasal and internasal, which are completely fused in
front of nostril; light brown‘above with four dark brown, longitudinal
lines; yellowish below..............-..--- L. philippinus (Boettger) (p. 164).
a?. Nostril in single nasal, completely separated from internasal; olive
to light brown above; a black streak behind eye, and a light stripe
on outer row of scales................-------+++ L. tricolor (Schlegel) (p. 162).
LIOPELTIS TRICOLOR (Schlegel)
PLATE 11, FIGs. 3 TO 5; PLATE 19
Herpetodryas tricolor SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 187, pl. 6, figs.
16-18.
Cyclophis tricolor GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 121; Proc. Zool.
Soc. London (1872) 596; StoniczKA, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 42
(1873) 122.
Liopeltis tricolor Copg, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1860)
559; JAN, Icon. Gén. (1869) 31, pl. 6, fig. 2.
Ablabes tricolor BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 281;
GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 599; § D 6 (1911) 261;
Tayzor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 13 (1918) 260.
Description of species —(From No. 709, Bureau of Science
collection; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, March, 1909, by W.
Schultze.) (Adult male.) Head elongate, depressed, its height
less than three times diameter of eye; rostral broader than deep,
small, well visible above, the suture with nasal largest, sutures
with internasals and with first labials coequal; internasals rather
triangular, pointed anteriorly, longest along their mutual suture,
which is about equal to that between prefrontals, not as long as
that with nasals; prefrontals rather large, broader than deep, in
contact with 1 or 2 labials, nasal, and preocular, their median
suture rather diagonal, leaving left prefrontal, forming a
considerable suture with right internasal; frontal elongate,
scarcely, if any broader than supraocular, twice as long as wide,
slightly longer than its distance to end of snout; parietals elon-
gate, not twice as long as wide, in contact with 2 postoculars; na-
sal elongate, single, separating internasals from labials: nostril
pierced in posterior part; no loreal; a single small preocular;
supraoculars twice as long as wide; 2 postoculars, coequal, and
nearly equal in size to preocular; temporals 1+-2, large, elongate,
both upper temporals bordering parietals their entire length; 8
LIOPELTIS 163
upper labials, seventh largest, fourth and fifth entering eye; 8
lower labials, 4 touching anterior chin shields which are slightly
longer than, but almost equal in size to, posterior; scales in 15
rows, smooth, without apical pits; ventrals, 149, slightly angulate
laterally; subcaudals, 116; anal divided.
Color in life-—Grayish to olive brown above, anterior third of
body and head rather more olive; a black streak begins on rostral,
passes through eye and continues along neck and sides some dis-
tance, growing gradually indistinct; tail above a light reddish to
pinkish brown; a pale yellowish to lavender olive streak along
outer row of scales and edges of ventral; chin and belly im-
maculate creamy white.
Measurements of Liopeltis tricolor (Schlegel).
mm.
Total length 502
Snout to vent 324
Tail 178
Width of head 9
Length of head 18
TABLE 31.—Measurements and scale counts of Liopeltis tricolor (Schlegel).
| | | Ven-
No. | Locality. Collector. | Sex. |Length.| Tail. | trata
Bae ee
| | | mm. mm. |
709 | Iwahig, Palawan-.-------------.==-- | W. Schultze_____- | of 502 | 178 | 149
MD3t | eden oe mane ea ata ae eee ace Sa A | C. M. Weber-..... ae 435 16548
AI? | Waytay: “Palawans 22. e-<secucese hoe | L. E. Griffin_____- | 467 | 181; 145 |
666 | Bubuan, Sulu__..._.-------.--------- | BS Be Taylors ce. | secece ce | ene 137
| Sub | | 7 ; ee a) oa
ub- | i
| Pre- Post- | Temp- Scale 7
No. | ala. | Anals. oculars. oculars.| orals. | ©™t®T | rows. | Collection. |
| als. | | | eye. iT |
| | > | (eee |
; | | |
709 116 | 2 1 2 | 1+2 | 4,5 | 15 | Bureau of Science.
723 | 124 | 2 1 2} 142| 45) 15] Do.
1171 124 2 1 2 1+2 4,6 15 Do.
666 4103 2 1 2 14+2 4,5 | 15 Do.
4 Mutilated.
Variation.—Practically no variation of moment is evident
in the Philippine specimens; the ventrals vary from 137 to 149;
the 'subcaudals, from 116 to 124. A fourth, badly mutilated
specimen in my collection was taken from the stomach of a
Boiga dendrophila from Palawan. I obtained a specimen of
this species on the very small island of Bubuan, Tapian
group, Sulu Archipelago, in October, 1917. It was taken in
a low tree about 3 meters from the earth; the tip of the tail
164 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
is slightly mutilated, only 103 subcaudals showing. The ven-
trals are 137, a lower number than in the Palawan specimens.
Boulenger * gives the ventral range as 140 to 187; the subcau-
dal, 103 to 180.
LIOPELTIS PHILIPPINUS (Boettger)
PLATE 20
Ablabes philippinus BortrceR, Zool. Anz. 20 (1897) 164; GRIFFIN,
Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 261.
Description of species—(From No. 940, Bureau of Science
collection; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, 1908, by C. M. Weber.)
(Adult male.) Head distinctly triangular, rather flattened,
quite distinct from neck; rostral almost one and a half times
as wide as high, but slightly pointed behind; the suture with
nasal is twice that with first labial; internasal fused with nasal
to form a single scale; nostril pierced near posterior part; a su-
ture issues from nostril and continues back to suture between
nasal and prefrontal, partially dividing scale; the combined scale
somewhat smaller than prefrontal; latter much broader than
deep, in contact with 2 labials laterally and a small preocular
posteriorly. (In the specimen here described the prefrontals are
fused, with a slight linear depression between them, doubtless
an abnormal condition.) The posterior sides are rounding;
frontal elongate, twice as long as wide, pointed behind, not
twice as wide as supraoculars, but longer; parietals elongate,
very much longer than wide, much longer than frontal; loreal
wanting; preocular small, square, widely separated from frontal;
2 postoculars, upper a little the larger, both in contact with
parietal; temporals 1 + 2, very well defined; 8 upper labials,
fourth and fifth entering eye, fifth and sixth touching lower post-
ocular; 8 lower labials, 4 in contact with anterior pair of chin
shields, which are little more than half the size of posterior
pair; mental as wide as deep, triangular: scales in 15 rows,
dorsals smallest, laterals largest, rather rounding behind; 140
ventrals; anal divided; subcaudals, 119. Eye less than its dis-
tance from nostril; tail extremely slender near end, terminating
in a sharp point; apical pits wanting.
Color in aleohol.—Above grayish yellow to light brown; four
longitudinal brown stripes begin on neck and continue along
body; two median stripes, one and a half scale rows in width,
separated by one whole and two half rows of seales; these
stripes continue to end of tail: lateral stripes are separated
from dorsal by two whole rows of scales and are only the width
* Catalogue, loc. cit.
DENDROPHIS 165
of a half scale row; these continue only to near anus; the light
areas between the brown lines laterally are punctate with many
small brownish dots; head olive, with an indistinct dark line
behind eye, this being the origin of the lateral brown line;
labials, chin, and throat immaculate; ventrals with small dots
on their outer edges and a few scattered larger dots in a median
row along middle part of belly; the lateral punctations on sub-
caudals form an indistinct line.
Measurements of Liopeltis philippinus (Boettger).
mm.
Total length 640
Snout to vent 390
Tail 250
Length of head 20
Width of head 10.5
Variation.—Boettger gives the ventral count as 144 to 146;
the subcaudal, as 118.
Remarks.—No other specimen of this rare snake is at hand
for comparison. This one agrees well with the type descrip-
tion. Boettger’s two types are from Samar and Culion, col-
lected by Moellendorff and Koch. With so wide a distribution
it is striking that so few specimens have reached collections and
that it has remained undiscovered until so late a date.
Genus DENDROPHIS Boie
Ahetulla, part., GRAY, Ann. Phil. 10 (1825) 208.
Leptophis, part., BELL, Zool. Journ. 2 (1825) 328; JAN, Elenco Sist.
Ofid. (1863) 84.
Dendrophis Bots, Isis (1827) 520; Borrrcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges.
(1886) 111; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 337;
Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 77; CasTo DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna
Filipinas 1 (1895) 433.
Dendrophis, part., WAGLER, Syst. Amph. (1830) 182; SCHLEGEL,
Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 220; DuMERIL and BiprRon, Erp. Gén. 7
(1854) 193; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 148; Rept. Brit.
India (1864) 296; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 85.
“Maxillary teeth 20 to 33, the posterior more or less enlarged,
stouter if not longer than the rest; anterior mandibular teeth
longest. Head distinct from neck, more or less elongate; eye
large, with round pupil. Body elongate, more or less com-
pressed; scales smooth, in 13 or 15 rows, narrow, disposed
obliquely, with apical pits, those of the vertebral row more or
less enlarged; ventrals with a suture-like lateral keel and a
notch on each side, corresponding to the keel. Tail long; sub-
caudals in two rows, keeled and notched like the ventrals.”
(Boulenger.)
166 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Snakes of this genus are distributed over southeastern Asia,
Malay Archipelago, to Australia. They are largely arboreal,
and are harmless.
Only one species, Dendrophis pictus (Gmelin), is known in
the Philippines. Dendrophis punctulata, an Australian species,
has been reported from the Philippines by Gtinther * and by
Parenti and Picaglia + and is included in Boettger’s, £ Casto de
Elera’s, § and Griffin’s || lists. Boulenger has referred Giinther’s
specimen to Dendrelaphis terrificus (Peters), and I think with-
out doubt that the specimen reported by Parenti and Picaglia
belongs to this species also; or, if correctly identified, that it did
not originate in Ticao, Philippines, as stated by Parenti and
Picaglia.
DENDROPHIS PICTUS (Gmelin)
Coluber pictus GMELIN, Syst. Natura 1 (1788) 1116.
Coluber decorus SHAW, Zool. 3 (1802) 538.
Dipsas schokari, part., KuHL, Beitr. Zool. Verg. Anat. (1820) 80.
Ahextulla decorus GRAY, Ann. Phil. 10 (1825) 208.
Leptophis ahetulla, part., BELL, Zool. Journ. 2 (1825) 328.
Dendrophis picta Bolg, Isis (1827) 530; SroticzKa, Journ. As. Soc.
Bengal 39 (1870) 193.
Ahetulla belli Gray, Ill. Ind. Zool. 2 (1834) pl. 80.
Dendrophis pictus, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 228, pl.
9, figs. 5-7; DUMERIL and BiBRoN, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 197; GIRARD,
U. 8. Expl. Exp. (1858) 129; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858)
148; Rept. Brit. India (1864) 297; JAN, Icon. Gén. 32 (1869) pl.
1, fig. 3; THEOBALD, Cat. Rept. Brit. India (1876) 190; BoETTGER,
Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 111; BoULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit.
Mus. 2 (1894) 78; CAsTo pE EvERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895)
433; Barsour, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv. Coll. 44 (1912) 117.
Leptophis pictus CANTOR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 82.
Ahextulla picta Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1860) 556.
Leptophis formosus JAN, Icon. Gén. (1879) 49, pl. 6, fig. 2.
Description of species—(From No. 219, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected in Occidental Negros, August 10, 1915, by E. H.
Taylor.) Body slender; tail long and slender, somewhat com-
pressed; head elongate, distinct from neck; rostral broader than
high, well visible above; internasals longer than wide, their mu-
tual suture about equal to their suture with prefrontal; pre-
frontals larger than internasals, wider than deep, bending down
over sides of head, forming a long suture with loreal, narrowly in
* Cat. Col. Snakes Brit. Mus. (1858) 150.
7 Atti. Soc. Nat. Modena, Mem. Orig. III 5 (1886) 50.
{ Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 111.
§ Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 433.
| Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 259.
DENDROPHIS 167
contact with supraocular (on one side only); frontal nearly
triangular, rather narrowly pointed behind, longer and wider
than supraocular, equal to its distance to end of snout; parietals
rather short, in contact with superior postocular; nasal divided,
posterior part largest; an elongate loreal, more than twice as
long as high; a large preocular, widest at top, in contact with
frontal (on one side); 2 postoculars, lower very small. Tem-
porals 1+ 2; 11 upper labials, fourth (very narrowly), fifth,
and sixth entering eye, sixth, seventh, and eighth largest; 9
lower labials, 5 in contact with first pair of chin shields, which
are broader but very much shorter than second pair; second
pair of chin shields separated posteriorly by 2 scales; a single
large scale borders last 5 labials; scales in 15 rows, entirely
smooth, with apical pits, median row largest, hexagonal; laterals
narrow, elongate, broadly imbricate, outer row large, triangular ;
ventrals, 180, strongly keeled and notched laterally; subcaudals,
148, keeled and notched; anal divided.
Color in life-—Above yellow-green; a broad dark stripe be-
gins behind eye, dimly indicated on loreal region, and continues
some distance on neck, where it is broken in dark bars ‘separated
by bluish diagonal bands; the blue color on scales is usually
covered by the overlapping scale, and is not much in evidence
until the skin is distended; the markings are not or scarcely
evident past the middle of body; outer scale row yellowish;
ventrals greenish yellow ventrally, greenish laterally; top of
head olive; upper labials, chin, and throat yellow.
Measurements of Dendrophis pictus (Gmelin).
mm.
Total length 1,145
Snout to vent 748
Tail 397
Length of head 26
Width of head 14
Variation.—In Philippine specimens examined the ventrals
vary between 163 and 180; the subcaudals, between 139 and
166; the supralabials, between 8 and 11, and the temporals are
1+ 2or2+2. The fifth and sixth labials usually enter the eye.
Boulenger * gives the range as ventrals, 165 to 190; subcaudals,
122 to 164,
Remarks.—This is a common species, widely distributed in
the Philippines. I have examined specimens from Luzon, Ne-
* Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 79.
168 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
gros, Panay, Mindoro, Polillo, Palawan, Busuanga, Mindanao,
Lapac, and Cagayan Sulu. It is also reported from Samar.
Outside of the Philippines it occurs over southern Asia, Ma-
lay Peninsula, Malay Archipelago to the Moluccas, and New
Guinea.
These snakes are usually taken in small bushes or trees.
They are arboreal in habit, and feed on lizards and frogs. The
species is absolutely harmless. It is confused by many Filipinos
with Dryophis prasinus, the so-called dahon palay, which is re-
garded by them as deadly poisonous. In Negros I have seen
this species handled by schoolboys who do not fear it. It is
there called maninint.
TABLE 32.—Measurements and scale counts of Dendrophis pictus (Gmelin).
| |
| | | Sub-
No. | Locality. | Collector. Age or Length. | Tail. Vent- cau-
sex. | rals. dala
| | | | :
|
mm. mm. | | |
6 | Mindanao ----
375 | 136 | V1 | 166 |
885 | 802 | 171) 136 |
agl5|) 169) (a) |
| 268 169] (@) |
648 230 | 176 | 168 |
204) 98 |
910 | 326 172 | 147
760 | 264) 181] 145
840 | 0264, 170| (a)
795 | 285 V1) 151
760 | 240 163 (a)
1,145) 397; 180] 148
| |
No. (Preocu-) Post- Tempo-) Scale- .
Tass beatae ] nares |" rals. | Snare: Collection.
Upper. | Lower. Ne | |
| ees ee eee |
6 1 1 9] 10-9 5,6 | 2+2 15 | E. H. Taylor. |
109 A: 3-2 9 10 5,6 | 2+2 15 Do.
404 1 1 8 10 4,5 | 2+2 | 15 Do.
ne [> SASBRG NS tees
431 1 3-2 | 9 Wh Ee 15 Do.
435 1 9 o| 5,6] 142] 15 | Do.
144 1 10 10 | 56) 2¢21 45 Do.
| 1 | |
476 1 2) 79 ww) gait ate alWesece
483 1 2 9 10 | 5,6] 142 is Do
633 1 2 9 10 | 5.6 242 | Do.
651 1 2 10 9 56] 142 15 ae |
ro 2 5 916 |
1453 al 2 9 10 | 5.6 | 2 2 15 Do. |
\p 4,5,6 |
219 1 2 11 | 9 { Ser ih ate 15 Do.
| |
® Mutilated.
DENDRELAPHIS 169
Genus DENDRELAPHIS Boulenger
Leptophis, part., BELL, Zool. Journ. 2 (1825) 328.
Dendrophis, part., WAGLER, Syst. Araph. (1830) 182; ScHLEGEL, Phys.
Serp. 2 (1837) 220; Dumérin and Bipron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854)
193; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 148; Rept. Brit. India
(1864) 296; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 85; BOETTGER, Ber.
Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 111.
Dendrelaphis BOULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 339;
Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 87; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci.
§ D 6 (1911) 260.
“Maxillary teeth 18 to 23; anterior maxillary and mandibular
teeth longest. Head elongate, distinct from neck; eye large,
with round pupil. Body much elongate, feebly compressed;
scales smooth, in 13 or 15 rows, narrow, disposed obliquely, with
apical pits, those of the vertebral row not or but very slightly
enlarged; ventrals with a suture-like lateral keel and a notch
on each side, corresponding to the keel. Tail long; subcaudals
in two rows, keeled and notched like the ventrals.” (Bou-
lenger.)
The genus is distributed over southern Asia and the East
Indies. There are three Philippine species.
Key to the Philippine species of Dendrelaphis Boulenger.
a. Ventrals,* 176 to 186; subcaudals, 105 to 113; body with numerous black
stripes along entire length. Palawan and Balabac.
D. caudolineatus (Gray) (p. 169).
a*, Ventrals, 169 to 179; subcaudals, 103 to 112; no stripes of any kind on
body. Luzon, Mindoro, Negros, and Sulu.
D. modestus Boulenger (p. 172).
a’, Ventrals, 162 to 186; subcaudals, 94 to 112; a black stripe behind eye;
stripes wanting on anterior third of body, usually present on posterior
part. Luzon, Negros, and Mindanao... D. terrificus (Peters) (p. 174).
DENDRELAPHIS CAUDOLINEATUS (Gray)
PLATE 21
Ahetulla caudolineata GRAY, Ill. Ind. Zool. 2 (1884) pl. 81.
Leptophis caudalineatus CANTOR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 85.
Dendrophis octolineata DUMERIL and Brpron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854)
201; JAN, Icon. Gén. (1869) 32, pl. 2, fig. 1.
Dendrophis caudolineata GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 150; Rept.
Brit. India (1864) 297; GUNTHER, Zool. Rec. (1870) 75; SToLiczKa,
Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 39 (1870) 194; 42 (1873) 128.
Dendrelaphis caudolineatus BouULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept.
(1890) 339; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 89; GRIFFIN, Philip.
Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 598; § D 6 (1911) 261.
Description of species—(From No. 414, Bureau of Science
collection; collected in Palawan.) Head moderately slender;
*Counts of ventrals and subcaudals are for Philippine specimens.
7
170 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
eye large, its diameter less than length of snout; rostral broader
than deep, the sutures formed with nasal and internasal sub-
equal; internasals a little wider than long, distinctly shorter
than prefrontals, and less than half as large; prefrontals some-
what broader than long, broadly in contact with loreal; frontal
about one and two-thirds times as long as broad, shorter than
parietals; latter one and a half times as long as broad, touching
superior postocular and 3 temporals; supraoculars large, about
as broad as frontal, in contact with prefrontals; nasal divided,
internasal also bordering nostril; loreal two to two and a half
times as long as high; preocular large, visible above; 2 post-
oculars, superior more than twice as large as inferior; 2 small
anterior temporals, both in contact with lower postocular ; tem-
poral formula, 2 + 2+ 2; 9 upper labials, fifth and sixth (on
right side fourth, fifth, and sixth) entering eye; 10 lower labials,
5 touching anterior chin shields, which are broader and shorter
than second pair; latter in contact almost two-thirds of their
length; scales in 13 rows, with apical pits, median row scarcely
larger than adjoining rows; ventrals, 183, strongly keeled and
notched; anal divided;'subcaudals, 110, keeled and notched.
Color in alcohol—Black above. each scale marked with a
longitudinal bluish green mark which leaves the ground color
in longitudinal lines; a black line from eye continues back along
body on second and third outer scale rows, but not covering
entire scales; below this stripe is a straight-edged yellow stripe,
covering lower part of second and upper part of first scale
rows; below this yellow stripe, covering lower part of first scale
rows, is a black stripe beginning on side of neck and continuing
to tip of tail; this stripe is broader than the others on body;
four dorsal black stripes, the two median narrowest; these
four stripes continue to tail and merge into one; tail has five
stripes to near tip, and only three at tip; below on belly im-
maculate greenish blue; a black median stripe on under side of
tail.
Measurements of Dendrelaphis caudolineatus (Gray).
mm.
Total length 1,115
Snout to vent 805
Tail 310
Length of head 30
Width of head 14
Diameter of eye 6
Length of snout 7.5
Variation.—Color markings are fairly stable in the speci-
mens of this species taken in the Philippines. The ventrals
DENDRELAPHIS 171
vary between 176 and 186; the subcaudals, between 105 and
113; sometimes 3 labials enter the orbit, sometimes 2, both
conditions being frequently found in the same specimen. The
temporal formula is normally 24+ 242, but many specimens
have the - anterior superior temporals coalesced, leaving the
formula -—~ +2.
eet
TABLE 33.—Measurements and scale counts of Dendrelaphis caudolineatus
(Gray).
—., | =
| | | | Ven Sub-
| No. Locality. Collector. Sex. Length.| Tail. | ie cau-
| trals.
| dals.
| | ae
| | | mm, mm,
|
o | 930 255 176 105
Q | 940 265 184) 11
S | 346 94 TB4e lcs ee
g | 485 125 183 | 9103
oo | 715 | 181 i
¢ | gsi} 225] 185| ut
Or |} 844 227 ve pe
g | 10) 192) 180 |
3 750 204 182 a
re) 1,115} 310 183 | 1
rer | a Es = i Sas FI aan
| | Labials | |
|
| i —e |
| | | | re- Post- | Tempo-| Scale A
| No. | | | Enter ae | ee tem oculars.| rals. | rows. Collection.
| Upper. Lower eye: Chin
| shields. |
| | | |
| | |
215 | 9 10 | 5,6 | 5 | 1 2 2+2 13 | Bureau of Science.
| | |
| | fecal 1
218 | 9 10) 4,5,6 5 1 hte as Do
219 | 9 9 5,6 5 1 2 | 2+2+2 13 Do
1
ae} 9 10 | 4,5,6 | 5 1 Sta |) a8 Do.
\ 5,6
223 9 10 { Tete h 5 1 2 | 24242 13 Do.
224 | 9 10 | 56) 6 1 2 nat \. & Do
fae ret
225 | 9 10 5,6 5 1 2 gat? | 13 Do
| (1+1 J |
226 9 10 5,6 5 1 2 | 2+2+2 13 Do.
227 | 9 9| 5,6 | 5 1 2 | 2+2+2 13 Do.
5,6
414 | 9 10 i aw i 5 1 2 | 24242 13 Do.
| aca Wee ais eet ee
8 Extreme tip of tail missing.
Boulenger * gives the range of ventrals as 171 to 188; of
subcaudals, 100 to 112. Boulenger’s largest specimen meas-
ures 1,520 millimeters in length.
* Catalogue, loc. cit.
172 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Remarks.—This species appears to be confined to Palawan
and Balabac, and possibly also enters the Calamianes, north
of Palawan. Outside Philippine territory it is known in south-
ern India, Malay Peninsula, and East Indies. The species is
arboreal. It is harmless.
DENDRELAPHIS MODESTUS Boulenger
PLATE 13, FIGS. 6 AND 7
Dendrelaphis modestus BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894)
91, pl. 4, fig. 4; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 261;
Taytor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917) 359.
? Dendrelaphis fuliginosus GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909)
55; § D 6 (1911) 261; TayLor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917)
359.
Description of species —(From No, 184, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at Isabela, Occidental Negros, at about 300
meters elevation, October 8, 1915, by E. H. Taylor.) (Adult
male.) Head rather slenderer than in Dendrelaphis terrificus,
distinct from body; rostral three-fourths as deep as wide, form-
ing subequal sutures with internasals and nasals, rather pointed
behind, broadly visible from above; internasals about as broad
as long, sutures with nasal curved; prefrontals large, extending
down on side to level of middle of eye, much wider than deep,
longer than internasals; frontal one and two-fifths times as
long as broad, equal to or a little less than its distance from
end of snout, longer and wider than supraocular; parietals
longer than frontal, longer than wide, with a row of 8 rather
enlarged occipital scales bordering temporals and _parietals
posteriorly; nasal divided in subequal parts, both the same
height; loreal elongate, two and a half times as long as high;
preocular visible from above as a point, widely separated from
frontal, widened above, coming to a point below; supraocular
slightly projecting; 2 postoculars, the superior, largest, touching
parietal, the inferior in contact with both anterior temporals;
temporals 2 + 2 + 2, increasing greatly in size posteriorly; 9
upper labials, fifth and sixth entering eye; 10 lower labials,
5 touching anterior chin shields, which are wider and but little
shorter than posterior pair; scales in 13 rows, the median row
slightly enlarged and slightly differentiated from the lateral
rows, but without pits; scales of other rows with pits; scales
somewhat rectangular, overlapping on sides; ventrals and sub-
caudals with lateral keels and notches; ventrals 169; anal double;
subcaudals 107; length of eye equal to or minutely less than
DENDRELAPHIS 173
its distance from nostril; vertical diameter of eye less than the
horizontal.
Color in life.—Rich olive brown above; head reddish to copper
brown, which color continues some distance on neck; outer
row of scales and half of second a slightly lighter shade of olive
brown; below light bluish green with the edges of ventrals
tinged with the olive brown of the outer row of scales; each
scale has a bright bluish spot which is usually hidden until the
skin is distended; skin between scales a purplish black; a few
small, scattered, dark spots on head; the apical pits appear as
minute dark spots; there is a trace of a dark line above last
upper labials; the lower part of upper labials rather creamy
yellow tinged with greenish; lower labials yellowish.
Measurements of Dendrelaphis modestus Boulenger.
mm.
Total length 914
Snout to vent 660
Tail 254
Length of head 24
Width of head 10
Variation.—The species here described differs from Boulen-
ger’s Dendrelaphis modestus of Ternate in having a lower aver-
age of ventrals. I do not doubt that I have correctly referred
the specimens to this species.
Griffin’s D. fuliginosus * is undoubtedly a young discolored
specimen of this species. I have three specimens, a young and
two adults, from Negros.
The greatest variation found in the Philippine specimens of
this species occurs in one from Bubuan Island, Sulu Archipelago.
An orange stripe is present in life behind the eye, continuing
some distance on the neck. This stripe is formed by a wash
color over the greenish ground color and disappears largely
in alcohol. The eye is larger, its diameter greater than dis-
tance from eye to nostril. The labials on one side are broken,
leaving two loreals, two preoculars, and two suboculars, the
labials not entering the orbit.
Remarks.—This species in the Philippines is known to oc-
cur in Palawan, Mindoro, Negros, and Sulu. The tvpe is from
Ternate.
* See Taylor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917) 359; in the state-
ment “The type has a few more ventrals and subcaudals than the type
of D. modestus” for a few more read a few less.
174 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
TABLE 34.—Measurements and scale counts of Dendrelaphis modestus
Boulenger.
a (ia —— = ee et ae
= . CJ
i) a |
No. Locality. Collector. 8 o : & g
Bl aig a|s
| a] 4 a > n
| mm. mm,
184 | Isabela, Negros __-.----- BAe Pay lores: Lesas op slecee oes |. ot 914 | 254] 169} 107
| yg 325 85 | 176 | 108
9 1,055 299 173 | 110
409 Marine Biological Expedition... & 710 | 226 | 178] (a)
10s (ee aoe ioe eceptee W. Schultze........---...----... ye | 326) 85] 179] 112
|
411 Palawanes2s2o222 52225222 (CiiMs Webers <2. e 8s eee c (yeas baat 103
AD: |= seeds hf Jo Parsee werd eet ely ue ep oaks ain aes 860 | 236! 176 | 106
413 | Mindoro ____-----. ------- Marine Biological Expedition -. @% | 1,051] 296} 179 112
1833 | Bubuan Island --__------- FISH se PAW OR eesnert ae el ieee 875 |b190 | 176 | beg
Labials. |
a See as é j aa
Touch a 3 5 | Collecti
No. | ‘ a > first fa 2B iS ollection.
3 | o 5 chin g ae} o |
Nae zg = shields.) 2 s 3
‘s) | 4 A | Ay | a n
{et bint Sle
184 9 10} 5,6 | 5 iil) 2 13 | E. H. Taylor
210 9-10 10 5,6 | 5 1 | 2 13 Do.
326 9 | 10 5,6 | 5 1) Del 13 Do.
409 9 | 10 | 5,6 | 5 1 | 2) 13 | Bureau of Science.
4i/ 9 Ww 66) 68 1 2 | Do.
| |
411 9 | 10 5,6 | 5 Ll 2 1B Do.
412 9 10 5,6. 5 1] 2] 18 Do.
418 9} 10] 56| 5 1| 2 13 | Do.
1833 98) 1) 5,6 5] 1-2] 2 13 Do.
|
«Tip of tail mutilated. » Body mutilated.
DENDRELAPHIS TERRIFICUS (Peters)
PLATES 22 AND 23
Dendrophis picta, var. B, GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 149.
Dendrophis punctulata (spec. o.) GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858)
150.
Dendrophis terrificus PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1872) 583; BoETTGER,
Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 111; Casto pe Exera, Cat. Fauna
Filipinas 1 (1895) 433.
Dendrophis philippinensis GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1879)
78, pl. 4.
Dendrelaphis terrificus BOULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890)
339; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 90; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ.
Sci. § D 6 (1911) 261.
?Dendrelaphis caeruleatus GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909)
55; § D 6 (1911) 261.
Description of species—(From No. 83, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion, collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao, July 10, 1913,
DENDRELAPHIS 175
by E. H. Taylor.) (Adult male.) Head very distinct from
body; rostral at least one and one-third times as broad as deep,
broadly visible from above, its longest suture with anterior
nasal; internasals rather large, little longer than wide, the
suture formed with nasals a curved line, which is longer than
the suture formed with prefrontals; suture between prefrontals
equal to or slightly longer than that between internasals; pre-
frontal as long as or a little longer than internasal, very much
wider than long, extending down to near the level of middle
of eye; frontal about one and a half times as long as broad,
as long as but wider than supraoculars, not as long as its dis-
tance from end of snout; parietals but little longer than frontal,
longer than wide; nasal divided; anterior part largest and high-
est; loreal narrow, long, two and a half to three times as long
as wide; 1 preocular, visible from above, not touching frontal,
in contact with 3 labials below; 2 postoculars, upper largest, in
contact with parietal; temporals, 2+ 2+ 2; 9 upper labials,
fifth and sixth entering eye (on the left side the 2 scales are
nearly fused) ; 10 lower labials (9 on one side), 5 in contact with
anterior chin shields, which are much shorter and wider than
posterior; mental wider than deep; scales in 13 smooth rows,
overlapping, disposed obliquely, more or less rectangular (with
single apical pits), arranged in oblique, vertical rows; outer
row of scales very much larger than median, which is scarcely
larger than adjoining rows; ventrals keeled and notched on
ends; ventrals 164; anal divided; subcaudals 96, in double
rows; length of eye equal to its distance from nostril; eye
longer than deep.
Measurements of Dendrelaphis terrificus (Peters).
mm.
Total length 1,045
Snout to vent 770
Tail x 275
Length of head 30
Width of head 17
Eye to tip of snout 10
Length of eye 6
Color in life—Bright greenish bronze (when scales are shed
in alcohol, bluish green to blue), each scale with a concealed
lower portion bright blue, only noticeable when the skin is dis-
tended; scales edged for the most part with black, the skin
between them also black; head somewhat darker brown above; a
broad black stripe begins behind eye and continues some distance
on side of neck, growing narrower; a zigzag black line borders
176 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
ventrals; above this is a yellowish brown stripe, lighter than the
body color, growing more indistinct as it continues along body;
a zigzag line between subcaudals; a blackish area in loreal
region; the black edges of the scales are more prominent on ante-
rior part of body; lips and chin a greenish yellow; belly im-
maculate yellow. :
TABLE 35.—Measurements and scale counts of Dendrelaphis terrificus
(Peters).
| | a ae ey —
: Ven- | Sub-
No. Locality. | Collector. Sex. |Length.} Tail. tralay eaudale
ple = eee |
| mm. mm. |
shud. sicieerars | B.H.Taylor -...-.----| @ 1,060 285 1638 | 95
fof 1,045 | 275 164 | 96
foe 765 200 162 | 94
o 830] 200) 181| 103
g 1,050} 301 171) 109
g 1,085 304 169 | 105
otra cee | M. Ligaya-..-...--...| ? 1,255 | 330; 177) 97
iden al heh kei ore ia A. Celestino......----| ¢& 840 | 225 173) 104
| Bantayan ——--------------- aoe dg eee o 1,055 | 287 186 | 106
| Labials. |
No. | Touch ae Se emo ane | Collection.
| Upper. | Lower. | Enter arse | lars. lars. | 5 i |
: eye. chin i}
| | shields. | |
g| 9/111! 56| 5] 1 2\2+2+2| 18| BE. H. Taylor. |
ae | ee ee ee | 2) 24242 1 Do |
81 9} 10] 5,6] 5 1 2 13) Do.
405 | 9] | 5.6 | ot ah 3 13 Bureau of Science. |
407 | 9) w} 56) 5! Dy <3 13| Do. |
44; 9] HY 88] Tf, -<32 13 Do. |
406 9 10 5,6 | 5 i 2 13 Do. |
408 | 9 | 10 5,6 | 5 | 1 2 | Lb Do. |
213 | 9, 0 5, 6 | 5 1 2 | | Do.
| 214 9) 10) 6.6 | 5 | 1 2 1B} Do. |
"Island north of Luzon.
Variation.—There are two fairly well-defined color varia-
tions evident in this species; one group represented in the
Visayan Islands, Mindanao, and Polillo (Dendrophis philippin-
ensis of Giinther and Dendrelaphis caeruleatus of Griffin), and
the second group in Luzon and islands to the north (Dendrophis
caudolineatus of Peters * non Gray and Dendrophis octo-
lineatus + of Parenti and Picaglia).
* Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 688.
+ Atti. Soc. Nat. Modena, Mem. Orig. 5 (1886) 50.
PSEUDORHABDIUM 177
The former group has a broad black band behind the eye
which continues ‘some distance on the neck and then disappears;
the outer row of scales and the outer edges of the ventrals are
black, thus forming a ragged-edged stripe; above this is a
yellowish green stripe lighter than the lateral body color. The
skin between scales is largely black, and many of the scales
are edged with black.
The latter group has the black stripe behind the eye which
rontinues to some distance on the neck where it disappears,
usually to reappear as a narrow black line above the lateral
yellow-green line on the posterior two-thirds of the body; the
dark edges of the scales form 8 longitudinal lines, most of which
are very distinct, and some of them continue on tail.
Due to the fact that the scale formule are practically the
same in the two groups I do not believe they should be re-
garded worthy of subspecific distinction.
Remarks.—The species is known in the Philippines from
Mindanao, Samar, Polillo, Negros, Bantayan, Banton, Siquijor,
Ticao, Luzon, and Camiguin. It is an arboreal species. Out-
side the Philippines it is known in Celebes.
Genus PSEUDORHABDIUM Boulenger
Rabdion, part., DUMERIL and Bipron, Mém. Ac. Sci. 23 (1853) 441,
and Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 115; Casto DE Exera, Cat. Fauna Fili-
pinas 1 (1895) 426.
Pseudorabdion JAN, Arch. Zool. Anat. Phys. 2 (1862) 10.
Oxycalamus GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 199; BorTrTcrr, Ber.
Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 105; Casto DE Expra, Cat. Fauna Fili-
pinas 1 (1895) 425.
Rhabdion Borettcrer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 106.
Pseudorhabdium BOoULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 328;
GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 261; TAyLor, Philip.
Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917) 362.
Maxillary teeth, 10 to 12, subequal; anterior mandibulary
teeth slightly longer than posterior; head not distinct from
neck; eye small, with round pupil; nostril pierced in a minute
nasal; internasals small; loreal present or absent; preocular
small or absent; no anterior temporals, parietals in contact with
labials; body cylindrical; scales smooth, without apical pits,
in 15 rows; ventrals rounded; tail short; subcaudals in 2 rows.
Key to the species of Pseudorhabdium Boulenger.
a’. No loreal present.
b'. Frontal longer than broad; preocular usually present; supraocular
SIMD Ea Lise a sweets te mete oe apes P. longiceps (Cantor) (p. 178).
161465——12
178 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
b?. Frontal little broader than long; supraoculars smaller still; preocular
usually wanting.........0...00.::..:0+- P. oxycephalum (Giinther) (p. 179).
a?, Loreal present; no preocular; postocular distinct or fused with supra-
OCU PAT ee er SUI en loelaal tartan P. mcnamare Taylor (p. 180).
The three known species of the genus are found in the Phil-
ippines. All are small, burrowing snakes, seldom attaining a
length of more than 280 millimeters. Pseudorhabdium oxyce-
phalum and P. mcnamarzx appear to be confined to the Philip-
pines. The third species is widely distributed, being found in
Malay Peninsula and other large East Indian islands.
PSEUDORHABDIUM LONGICEPS (Cantor)
Calamaria longiceps CANTOR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 63, pl., fig. 1.
Rabdion torquatum DUMERIL and Brpron, Erp. Gen. 7 (1854) 119;
Peters, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 684; CAsTo DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna
Filipinas 1 (1895) 426.
Pseudorabdion torquatum JAN, Arch. Zool. Anat. Phys. 2 (1862)
10, and Icon. Gen. (1865) 10, pl. 3, fig. 3.
Oxycalamus longiceps GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. Ind. (1864) 199; Sto-
LICZKA, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 42 (1873) 120.
Pseudorhabdion longiceps BOoULENGER, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. V
16 (1885) 389.
Rhabdion torquatum BoETTGER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 106.
Pseudorhabdium longiceps BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2
(1894) 3829; GriFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 261; Bar-
BouR, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv. Coll. 44 (1912) 119.
Description of species—(From Boulenger, Catalogue.)
“Snout rather pointed. Rostral small, as deep as broad, well
visible from above; suture between the internasals one third or
one fourth the length of that between the prefrontals; frontal
a little longer than broad, as long as or a little shorter than
its distance from the end of the snout, shorter than the parietals,
more than twice as broad as the supraocular; preocular small
(rarely absent); one postocular; five upper labials, third and
fourth entering the eye; symphysial in contact with the anterior
chin-shields; three lower labials in contact with the anterior
chin-shields, which are about twice as large as the posterior.
Seales in 15 rows. Ventrals 129-146; anal entire: subcaudals
10-28. Tail pointed. Iridescent brown or black, with or with-
out a yellowish collar; usually a yellowish vertical spot above
the angle of the mouth.”
Measurements of Pseudorhabdium longiceps (Cantor).
mm.
Total length 230
Snout to vent 195
Tail
35
PSEUDORHABDIUM 179
Remarks.—The only record for this snake in the Philippines
is that of Peters, at Daraga, Luzon. Evidently it is very rare.
The species is known from Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Nias, Su-
matra, and Celebes.
PSEUDORHABDIUM OXYCEPHALUM (Ginther)
Rhabdosoma oxycephalum GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 242.
Oxycalamus oxycephalus GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1878)
168 (fig.); BorTTceR, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 105; Casto DB
ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 425.
Pseudorhabdium oxycephalum BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2
(1894) 329; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 262; Taytor,
Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917) 364.
Description of species——Closely allied to Pseudorhabdium
longiceps. Frontal a little broader than long, about half as long
Fic. 14. Pseudorhabdium oxycephalum (Giinther) ; after Boulenger; a, head, dorsal view;
b, head, lateral view; c, head, ventral view.
as parietal; supraoculars narrow, smaller still, and confluent
with postocular; no separate postocular; rostral barely visible
above; internasals small, about one-sixth of prefrontals; latter
longer than wide, in contact with 2 labials, entering eye; inter-
nasal in contact with second labial; no loreal or preocular; a
large posterior temporal bordering parietals; frontal broader
than long, about four or five times as wide as supraocular; 5
upper labials, third and fourth entering eye, fifth largest; 3
lower labials touching first chin shields, which are as long as
but narrower than second pair; scales in 15 smooth rows, with
no apical pits; anal entire; male, ventrals, 136; subcaudals, 23;
female, ventrals, 152; subcaudals, 16.
Color.—Uniform iridescent blackish brown.
Measurements of Pseudorhabdium oxycephalum (Gtinther).
mm.
Total length 280
Snout to vent 260
Tail 20
180 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Remarks.—This species is known from Negros, where it was
collected by A. B. Meyer. The type, collected by Cuming, is
labeled “Philippines;” the exact locality is no longer known.
Only a few specimens appear to be known.
PSEUDORHABDIUM MCNAMAR/= Taylor
Pseudorhabdium menamare TAYLOR, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917)
263.
Description of species—(From the type, No. 196, E. H. Tay-
lor collection; collected on Canlaon Volcano, Occidental Negros,
December 24, 1915, at an elevation of about 900 meters, by
E. H. Taylor.) Rostral small, about as wide as high, a large
part visible from above; internasals moderate, five-sided, their
Fic. 15. Pseudorhabdium monamarx Taylor; a, head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral view; ¢,
head, ventral view.
sutures with nasal and prefrontal equal, forming their shortest
suture with loreal; prefrontals nearly three times as large as
internasals, entering eye, touching frontal, loreal, internasal,
and supraocular, the longest suture with loreal, the shortest
with supraocular; frontal hexagonal, a little wider than long,
the sides touching supraoculars shortest, the parietal sides
longest; parietals at least twice as long as wide, six-sided, in
contact with fifth labial; nasal rectangular, much elongate, with
nostril pierced near anterior edge close by rostral; behind this
a very much enlarged, elongate loreal, in contact with second
and third labials, entering eye; supraocular extending over
only posterior part of eye and somewhat behind; postocular
fused with supraocular; no anterior temporals; a single large
posterior temporal behind fifth labial, bordering on parietal;
5 upper labials, fifth largest, in the following order of size: fifth,
third, fourth, second, first; third and fourth enter eye; 5 lower
PSEUDORHABDIUM 181
labials; mental ‘small, in contact with anterior chin shields,
and separating first labials; 3 labials touch anterior chin
shields; second pair of chin shields slightly smaller than first;
eye very small; anal undivided; ventrals, 140; subcaudals, 22;
scales smooth, in 15 rows.
Color in life-—Above very shiny, more or less iridescent, dark
blackish brown to bluish brown; about neck is a more or less
distinct yellow collar (dim or almost wanting in adults), formed
above by three or four small yellow spots; a cream-colored
spot on fifth upper labial; below canary to yellowish cream with
a dark area on outer edge of each ventral; posterior ventrals
mottled, and subcaudals almost uniformly dark; occasional dark
areas on middle part of ventrals.
Measurements of the type of Pseudorhabdium menamare Taylor.
mm,
Total length 242
Snout to anus 220
Tail 22
Width of head 5.5
Width of body 5
Variation.—Males and females differ in the number of ven-
trals and subcaudals, the averages being for males: ventrals,
131; subcaudals, 28; for females, ventrals, 142; subcaudals, 22.
Four specimens show the postocular fused with the supraocular,
and in No. 197 a preocular is present. There is some variation
in the relative length and width of the frontal. In some speci-
mens these are equal and in one or two the length slightly
exceeds the width. The females have the underside of the tail
uniformly dark, while the males have it mottled and lighter.
Nos. 192, 198, 194, and 195 have the second and third lower
labials fused, thus leaving only two labials touching the first
chin shields.
Remarks.—The species is rather common at altitudes of 800
to 900 meters on Canlaon Volcano. No specimens were taken
at a higher or lower altitude. They were found under logs and
rotting trash. They feed on earthworms and are in turn
preyed upon by Cyclocorus lineatus, which is plentiful in the
same locality. Specimens were usually found in pairs, a male
and a female, in the same place. The females taken in Decem-
ber contained three undeveloped eggs. The species is named
for Mr. Homer McNamara, superintendent of the La Carlota
Agricultural Station, who rendered able assistance in making
collections on the volcano.
182 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
rai
This species represents a distinct section of the genus in
having a loreal present.
TABLE 36.—Measurements and scale counts of Pseudorhabdium menamare
Taylor.
| | Sex or |
No. Locality. Collector. | awe Leneth,
Tia ; : |
mm, |
2 1938 |
ci 1380 |
(sf 163 |
g 217 |
g 229
g 208
9 212
o 168 |
3 178
ye 86
2 242
209
No. | tai. | Ver- eau. Preocu-) Character of Collation:
als.
mm, | S
186 7 143 23 0 | E. H. Taylor.
187 16 134 27 0 | Do.
188 18 135 28 0 Do.
189 18 145 22 0 REIS ACR Ere ae Do.
190 20 142 21 0| Fused -__._.. ens ees Do.
191 19 141 22 0 | Distinct Do.
192 18 145 20 (iy Ee do:cece Do.
193 20 129 27 cy ee dorasuecbeane eta) Do.
194 20 180 28 0 | Pused s.r. 32 Do.
195 1 130 29 0 Distinct.. yeas Do.
196 22 140 22 Ou usedseeses2-=*. ecc-he Do.
197 20 140 28 1 | ee do Do
SS S|
Genus TYPHLOGEOPHIS Giinther
Typhlogeophis GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1879) 77; BOETTGER,
Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 106; BouLENcER, Cat. Snakes Brit.
Mus. 2 (1894) 351.
Typhlogeophus CASTO DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 4265.
“Maxillary teeth 8, subequal; mandibular teeth subequal.
Head not distinct from neck; eye concealed under the ocular
shield; no supraocular; nostril pierced in a minute nasal; inter-
nasals small; no loreal or preeocular ; no temporals, the parietals
in contact with the labials. Body cylindrical; scales smooth,
without apical pits, in 15 rows. Tail short; subcaudals in two
rows.” (Boulenger.)
CALAMARIA 183
This genus is known only from the Philippines. It consists
of a single known species, Typhlogeophis brevis, which is known
only from the type. Judging by the absence of external eyes,
the species is subterrestrial in habit.
TYPHLOGEOPHIS BREVIS Giinther
PLATE 24, FIGS. 1 TO 4
Typhlogeophis brevis GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1879) 77;
BoETTGER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 106; BOoULENGER, Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 351; GriFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. §
D 6 (1911) 262.
Typhlogeophus brevis, CASTO DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1
(1895) 425.
Description of species—(From Boulenger.) ‘“Snout rather
pointed; rostral very small, nearly as deep as broad, just visible
from above; suture between the internasals about
half the length of that between the prefrontals;
frontal small, as long as broad, shorter than its
distance from the end of the snout, half as long as
the parietals; five upper labials, fourth in contact
with the ocular, fifth very large; two pairs of Ves
chin-shields, anterior largest. Scales in 15 rows. ie Sie ae
Ventrals 153; anal entire; subcaudals about 15. togeopnis
Uniform blackish, scales and shields with whitish pois
edge. Boulenger;
“Total length, 330 millim.” a forse!
Remarks.—Only the type specimen appears to
have been collected, and the exact locality is now unknown. It
was taken by A. Everett, either on Mindanao or on Dinagat.
Genus CALAMARIA Boie
Calamaria Borg, Ferussac, Bull. Sc. Nat. 9 (1826) 2386; Isis (1827)
519; DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 60; GUNTHER, Cat.
Col. Snakes (1858) 8; Rept. Brit. India (1864) 105; Jan, Arch.
Zool. Anat. Phys. 2 (1862) 4; Borrrcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges.
(1886) 105; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 281; Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 330; Casto pe ELERA, Cat. Fauna
Filipinas 1 (1895) 424.
Calamaria, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 25; WAGLER, Syst.
Amph. (1830) 191.
Typhlocalamus GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1872) 595.
“Maxillary teeth 8 to 11, subequal; anterior mandibular teeth
a little longer than the posterior. Head not distinct from neck;
eye small, with round pupil; nostril pierced in a minute nasal;
184 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
no loreal;* no internasals ; preeocular present or absent; no tem-
porals, the parietals in contact with the labials. Body cylin-
drical; scales smooth, without apical pits, in 13 rows; ventrals
rounded. Tail short; subcaudals in two rows.” (Boulenger.)
This genus is widely distributed and consists of numerous
species, most of which are local and variable. The snakes are
small, never or very rarely attaining half a meter in length,
most of the species being less than a third of a meter in length,
The species are without grooved fangs, and are harmless.
Key to the Philippine species of Calamaria Boie.+
a. Mental in contact with anterior chin shields; no loreal.
b'. Frontal less than twice as broad as supraocular; young, reddish
white with black rings; adults, black above, barred with alternate
bands of black and white below.........------- C. grayi Giinther (p. 184).
b?, Frontal almost twice as broad as supraocular; rostral as deep as
broad; frontal nearly as long as parietals; young, light brown
above, barred with darker brown; only a few anterior bars in
adults; uniform yellowish below......-....- C. bitorques Peters (p. 185).
b'. Rostral as deep as broad; frontal shorter than parietals.
c. Tail length in total length fourteen to twenty times, brown ahove,
with several fine light streaks on each side; yellow or barred
black and yellow below.
C. gervaisii Duméril and Bibron (p. 186).
c. Tail length in total length nine and one-half times; brown with a
row of white dots on sides, on outer scale row.
C. suluensis sp. nov (p. 189).
b'. Rostral broader than deep; frontal shorter than parietals; brown
above with longitudinal series of black dots; a yellow spot on each
side of neck........2-..----------e eee C. mindorensis Boulenger (p. 190).
a. Mental not in contact with anterior chin shields; no loreal.
b'. Diameter of eye much more than its distance from mouth; brown
above, with 2 longitudinal rows of dark spots on each side of a line
of white dots.......-.-----2::eeeee C. everetti Boulenger (p. 191).
b?, Diameter of eye less than half its distance from mouth; 250 ventrals;
dark brown above, with the 2 outer scale rows tipped with yel-
lowish; a yellow collar on neck; a pair of large pale lateral spots
at base of tall........-.-2--2:--e C. mearnsi Stejneger (p. 193).
a. Mental in contact with first chin shields; a loreal present; above, brown
with darker dots; a dark brown nuchal collar, edged with yellow
anteriorly and posteriorly; immaculate below.
C. tropica sp. nov. (p. 194).
CALAMARIA GRAYI Gunther
Calamaria grayi GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 6; BOETTGER,
Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 105; BoULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit.
* Calamaria tropica has a loreal—E. H. T. _
+ Casto de Elera lists C. vermiformis and C. temminckii.
are probably erroneous.
These records
CALAMARIA 185
Mus. 2 (1894) 338; CasTo DE ELera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1
(1895) 424; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 262.
Calamaria lumbricoidea, part., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 5.
Calamaria philippinica STEINDACHNER, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien
17 (1867) 514, pl. 13, figs. 4-6.
Description of species—(From Boulenger.) ‘“Snout very
short and broadly rounded. Rostral nearly as deep as broad, well
visible from above; frontal a little longer than broad, shorter
than the parietals, not twice as broad as the supraocular; one
pre- and one postocular ; diameter of the eye less than its distance
from the mouth; five upper labials, the four anterior subequal in
size, third and fourth entering the eye; symphysial in contact
with the anterior chin-shields; two pairs of chin-shields, in con-
tact with each other. Scales in 13 rows. Ventrals 175-195;
anal entire; subcaudals 14-24. Tail ending in a rather obtuse
point. Young reddish white, with black rings; adult uniform
blackish above, alternately barred black and white below.
Measurements of Calamaria grayi Giinther.
mm.
Total length 365
Snout to vent 330
Tail 35
Remarks.—The types were collected in the Philippines by H.
Cuming, 1832-1834; the exact locality is not known, and the
species has not been rediscovered.
CALAMARIA BITORQUES Peters
Calamaria gervaisti, part., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 4.
Calamaria bitorques PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1872) 585; BorTTGER,
Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 105; BoULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit.
Mus. 2 (1894) 338; CASTo DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895)
424; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 262.
Description of species—(From No. 606, Bureau of Science
collection; locality and collector unknown, probably from Lu-
zon.) (Adult female.) Head not distinct from body; rostral
as wide as deep, broadly visible above; internasals and loreal
wanting; prefrontals very large, in contact with 2 labials
and rostral, not entering eye; frontal distinctly longer than
broad, little less than twice as broad as supraoculars, longer
than its distance to end of snout, little shorter than parietals;
latter large, as broad as long; nostril in a minute nasal; 1 small
preocular; 1 small postocular touching 2 labials and parietal; no
anterior temporals; a large posterior temporal bordering pa-
rietal; 5 upper labials, last very large, first 4 subequal, third
and fourth entering eye; mental rather large, in contact with
186 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
large anterior pair of chin shields; second pair about half as
large, not separated; 5 lower labials, 3 touching first pair of chin
shields; scales in 13 rows, smooth; ventrals 186; anal entire;
subcaudals 18; diameter of eye equal to or slightly less than its
distance from mouth; tail ending in a blunt point.
Color in alcohol.*—Dull yellowish brown above with brownish
bands, separated by lighter interspaces on anterior fourth of
body; these bands are narrow, scarcely more than the width of
one scale; the yellowish interspaces are only two or three scales
wide; head with a brown spot on each parietal; below, uniform
yellowish.
Measurements of Calamaria bitorques Peters.
mm.
Total length 865
Snout to vent 343
Tail 22.
Width of head 7.5
Length of head 9.8
Variation.—The females have a much larger number of ven-
trals and a smaller number of subcaudals than the males. The
range known is: For females, ventrals, 183 to 199; subcaudals,
13 to 18; for males, ventrals, 151 to 158; subcaudals, 18 to 21.
Remarks.—This rare species is known only from Luzon.
There is a single specimen in the collection of the Bureau of
Science, without locality attached. Boulenger 7 lists five speci-
mens from Luzon.
CALAMARIA GERVAISI!I Duméril and Bibron
Calamaria virgulata (non Boie) Eypoux and GERVAIS, in Guér. Mag.
Zool. Cl. 3 (1837) pl. 16, figs. 7-10; Voy. Favorite, Zool 57 (1839)
pl. 30, figs. 7-10.
Calamaria gervaisii DUMERIL and Bripron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 76;
JAN, Arch. Zool. Anat. Phys. 2 (1862) 8; Icon. Gén. (1865) 10,
pl. 2, fig. 1; GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1879) 77; PETERS,
Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 684; Muuugr, III. Nacht. Cat. Herp. Sammi.
Basel Mus. (1883) 12; Fiscuer, Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg 2
(1885) 80; Bortrcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 105; BouLENGER,
Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 2 (1894) 338; GriFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci.
$ D6 (1911) 262.
Calamaria gervaisii, part.. GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 4.
* The specimen is in an indifferent state of preservation and most of
the original color and markings have disappeared.
+ Catalogue, loc. cit.
CALAMARIA 187
There are two known subspecies of Calamaria gervaisit in
the Philippines.* These are Calamaria gervaisti gervaisti and
Calamaria gervaisti iridescens. They may be distinguished as
follows:
Key to the subspecies of Calamaria gervaisii Duméril and Bibron.
a, Ventrals, males, 148 to 158; females, 162 to 167; subcaudals, males,
15 to 18; females, 12 or 13; brown with 3 lateral rows of white dots,
and usually 4 dorsal rows of black dots.
C. g. gervaisii Duméril and Bibron (p. 187).
a’. Ventrals, males, 158 to 165; females, 178 to 180; subcaudals, males,
18 or 19; females, 14; dark iridescent brown above; only a single
row of white dots along side of body.
C. g. iridescens Taylor (p. 188).
The former subspecies is especially common in Luzon, even in
the city of Manila. It is a gregarious, burrowing species.
CALAMARIA GERVAISII GERVAISII Duméril and Bibron <
Description of subspecies.— (From No. 941, E. H. Taylor col-
lection, collected in Manila by W. Schultze.) (Adult female.)
Head not distinct from body; rostral broadly visible above; pre-
frontals large; no internasals; frontal longer than broad, about
twice the width of supraocular, much shorter than parietals;
latter in contact for more than half their length; nasal very
small, a mere rim around nostril, surrounded by rostral, first
labial, and prefrontal; 1 small preocular; 1 small postocular; 6
upper labials, fifth largest, third and fourth entering eye; no
anterior temporals; one posterior temporal; 6 lower labials, the
3 anterior touching first chin shields which are in contact with
mental; second pair of chin shields about half as large as first
pair, barely in contact anteriorly. Scales in 13 smooth rows;
ventrals, 162; anal single; subcaudals, 12. Tail length is con-
tained in total length twenty times.
Color in life-—Above, light brown with four rows of small,
longitudinal, dark dots dorsally. The three outer scale rows
with white dots, those on first and third rows largest and
most distinct; upper and lower edges of scales of outer row very
dark brown, as are also edges of ventral scales; belly yellow-
orange; ventrals with numerous small dots of dark color, with
posterior edges of many scales dimly edged with darker; lower
* Boulenger’s variety C. may represent a distinct subspecies.
-+ Kenneth, Carl, and Bettie Knust, three ardent young herpetologists,
collected more than 300 specimens of C. gervaisii gervaisti about the yard
of their home in Malate, Manila.
t For synonymy see species.
188 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
part of upper labials yellow; chin and lower labials yellow,
latter with dark dots; a dark line on underside of tail.
Measurements of Calamaria gervaisti gervaistt Duméril and Bibron.
mm.
Total length 260
Snout to vent 247
Tail 13
Length of head 7.5
Width of head 5.5
Variation.—The chief differences in specimens are sexual.
The females have longer bodies and shorter tails than the males,
and a correspondingly larger number of ventrals and smaller
number of subcaudals. The length of the tail in the females
is contained in the total body length twenty times; in the males,
fourteen times.
Remarks.—The females lay from three to six eggs, which are
usually three times as long as wide. The young agree very
well with the adults in coloration. A very common species. Due
to its gregarious habits it is known to many Filipino peoples as
ahas-na-cuyog. The subspecies is restricted to the Philippines;
known to occur in Luzon.
CALAMARIA GERVAISII IRIDESCENS Taylor
Calamaria gervaisii iridescens TaYLorR, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12
(1917) 360.
Description of subspecies—(No. 201, E. H. Tayor collec-
tion; collected on Canlaon Volcano, Occidental Negros, De-
cember 23, 1915, at an elevation of about 900 meters, by E. H.
Taylor.) (Adult female.) Rostral a little deeper than broad,
the part visible above equal to the suture between prefrontals;
internasals absent; prefrontal very large, about as broad as
long, touching 2 labials laterally; loreal absent; frontal much
longer than its distance from end of snout, twice as wide as
supraoculars, shorter than and not as wide as parietals; nostril
pierced in a minute nasal, latter fan-shaped; 1 preocular, very
small; supraocular scarcely twice as long as wide; 1 small
postocular; 5 upper labials, last largest, third and fourth en-
tering eye; an elongate posterior temporal behind fifth labial,
bordering parietal; mental as deep as wide, touching chin
shields; 3 labials touch first pair of chin shields, which are much
larger and slightly wider than second pair; scales in 15 rows;
ventrals 178, subcaudals 14; anal single; tail length 21.8 in total
length.
CALAMARIA 189
Color in life-—Dark, iridescent brown above, with a very
indistinct series of four darker lines, each minutely powdered
with a lighter color. Series of white dots begin on outer row of
scales and continue regularly to base of tail. A second row of
dots begins on second row of scales, but continues only a short
distance. Top of head mottled with dark brown, labials almost
covered with yellowish white. Lower labials and ‘scales on neck
and chin yellow, with brown maculations. Ventrals barred
across belly with blackish brown and canary-yellow bars; less
heavy coloration in front of anus; underside of tail with a
median dark line.
Measurements of Calamaria gervaisii iridescens Taylor.
mm.
Total length 306
Snout to vent 292
Tail 14
Variation.—F ive specimens taken agree very well, save that
the barring on the belly is much less distinct in very young
ones. The females have more ventrals and less subcaudals than
the males.
Remarks.—This subspecies is common on Canlaon Volcano.
Specimens were obtained from under logs. One specimen was
disgorged by a captured specimen of Cyclocorus lineatus.
CALAMARIA SULUENSIS sp. nov.
Calamaria gervaisti TAYLOR, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 13 (1918) 260.
Type—No. 1837, Bureau of Science collection; collected on
Cagayan Sulu, November, 1917, by E. H. Taylor.
Description of type—Rostral about as broad as deep, visible
above; no internasal; prefrontals large, in contact with 2
labials laterally; frontal about one-third longer than wide, two
and a half times as wide as supraocular, shorter than parietals;
latter in contact for a little more than half their length, in con-
tact with fifth labial; nasal a mere rim about nostril; no loreal
present; 1 preocular, higher than wide; 1 postocular; no an-
terior temporals; 1 posterior temporal; 6 upper labials in fol-
lowing order of size: fifth, second, third, first, fourth, sixth, the
third and fourth entering eye; 6 lower labials, 3 touching anterior
chin shields, first pair of labials not in contact; posterior chin
shields nearly three-fourths as long as anterior. Scales in 13
smooth rows; ventrals 154; anal single; subcaudals 25; tail much
narrowed behind anus, its length contained in total body length
nine and a half times.
190 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Color in life-——Above iridescent brown; many scales on an-
terior part of body with darker spots; a row of white spots on
outer row of scales; lower edge of outer scale row brown, and
the same color on extreme outer edge of ventrals; a second
row of white dots begins on second row of scales, but only con-
tinues a very short distance; head brown with very dim dark
spots; upper labials yellowish on their lower parts; lower labials
with brown spots; mental and anterior parts of first chin shields
dark; belly immaculate canary; underside of tail yellow with a
median dark brown line.
Measurements of Calamaria suluensis sp. nov.
mm.
Total length 266
Snout to vent 239
Tail 5 27
Length of head 8
Width of head 5
Remarks.—This species is related to Calamaria gervaisti Du-
méril and Bibron, but differs from it in coloration and marking,
and in having a longer tail with a higher number of subcaudals.
The average number of subcaudals for C. gervaisit is about 17
for males and 13 for females. In the type of C. sulwensis, an
adult female, there are 25 subcaudals, nearly double the number
for females of C. gervaisii. The length of the tail of the females
of C. gervaisti is contained in the total length twenty times;
of the males, fourteen times. In C. sulwensis the length of the
tail is contained in the total length nine and a half times; also,
the head is slightly longer, and the second pair of chin shields
is longer than in C. gervaisit.
The type was collected under a log near one of the lakes on
the small isolated island Cagayan Sulu, in the southern part
of Sulu Sea.
CALAMARIA MINDORENSIS Boulenger
Calamaria mindorensis BOULENGER, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. VI 16
(1895) 481; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 646 (addenda) ; GRIF-
FIN, Philip. Journ. Sei. § D 6 (1911) 262.
Description of species—(From Boulenger, Catalogue.) ‘‘Ros-
tral a little broader than deep, visible from above; frontal longer
than broad, twice as broad as the supraocular, shorter than the
parietals; a pree- and a postocular; diameter of the eye equal
to its distance from the mouth; five upper labials, third and
fourth entering the eye; symphysial in contact with the anterior
chin-shields; two pairs of chin-shields in contact with each
CALAMARIA 191
other. Scales in 13 rows. Ventrals 193; anal entire; sub-
caudals 15. Brown above, with longitudinal series of black
dots; a yellow spot on each side of the neck; a white spot on
each scale of the outer row; upper lip and lower parts yellowish;
a black spot at the outer end of each ventral; a black line along
the middle of the tail.”
Measurements of Calamaria mindorensis Boulenger.
mm.
Total length 240
Snout to vent 225.
Tail 13
Remarks.—The type of this species, an adult female, was
collected in Mindoro by A. Everett. Only the type appears
to have been discovered.
The new species of Calamaria herein described, Calamaria tro-
pica, is from Mindoro but differs from C. mindovensis in the
presence of a loreal, and a dark brown neck band followed by a
yellow band; a difference of 45 ventrals is also evident.
CALAMARIA EVERETTI Boulenger
PLATE 24, FIGS. 5 TO 9
Calamaria everetti BOULENGER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1893) 525;
Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. VI 14 (1894) 84; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus.
2 (1894) 340, pl. 18, figs. 1, 2; Grirrin, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4
(1909) 599; § D 6 (1911) 262.
Description of species—(From No. 565, Bureau of Science
collection; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, March, 1909, by C.
M. Weber.) (Adult male.) Rostral distinctly broader than high,
rather narrowly visible from above; internasals wanting; pre-
frontals large, bordering labials laterally; fron-
tal one and a half times as long as broad, slightly
shorter than parietals, less than twice as broad
as supraocular ; latter much shorter than frontal ;
parietals elongate, broader than long; nostril ee ee
pierced in nasal, small; no loreal present; an after — Boulenger;
elongate preocular, broader inferiorly; 1 small, "** '“" "°"
distinct preocular; no anterior temporals; a large posterior
temporal bordering parietal; 5 upper labials, third and fourth
entering eye, fifth very large; 5 lower labials, first pair meeting
behind mental, 3 touching anterior chin shields; latter followed
by a second, smaller, pair of chin shields, in contact with each
other; scales in 13 rows, smooth; ventrals, 177; anal single;
192 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
subcaudals, 24 pairs; head rather elongate; eye rather large,
its diameter much more than its distance from mouth.
Color in alcohol.—Above blackish brown with irregular
rows of black dots; a continuous line of white dots covering
outer row of scales; edges of ventral scales black, forming a
zigzag black line below the white dotted line; another black
line immediately above the lateral white line on second scale
row; a white line from snout along upper labials, covering them
save for their upper parts; top of head lighter brown with some
darker mottling, particularly on outer edge of parietals; two
whitish collars, one immediately behind parietals, and the other
five scales back, neither crossing entirely the dorsal surface
of neck; a distinct dark spot on fifth labial and a posterior tem-
poral spot; below, chin, neck, belly, and underside of tail im-
maculate yellwish.
Measurements of Calamaria everetti Boulenger.
mm.
Total length 315
Snout to vent 289
Length of head 8
Width of head 5.5
Variation.—A second specimen from the same locality agrees
well in scalation. The lateral white line is very irregular, as
many scales in the second row are white. Boulenger * lists
three varieties of this species (only two of which are Philip-
pine), as follows:
A. Nape dark brown, with a yellow collar; belly unspotted.
B. No collar; belly unspotted.
C. No collar; a series of black dots along the middle of belly.
TABLE 37.—Measurements and scale counts of Calamaria everetti
Boulenger.
| Collection. |
| |
i : 2 z : | eee a pies Se
| |
] mm. | mm. |
565 Iwahig, Palawan. C. M. Weber... Zak fot 315 | 26 | 177 24 | Bureau of Science.
pe 22 do Ae eee 2] C,H lamb: ..-.-3- | 3c | 295) 24) 181] 28] Do.
| : dhags Sale|
The first variety (A), a young specimen from Sarawak, Bor-
neo, is the type. The second and third varieties (B and C)
are from Palawan. The known ventral range is 144 to 184;
Length
| Ventrals.
Subcaudals
Tail.
No. Locality. Collector.
il
|
* Loc. cit.
CALAMARIA 193
the subcaudal, 16 to 23; the low ventral count, 144, is from
the Sarawak specimen. In the Palawan specimens the average
count is 179 for ventrals. The variations in color may be due
to the age of the specimens.
Remarks.—Griffin * has called attention to the fact that the
Bureau of Science specimens differ in color and markings from
those listed by Boulenger. Larger series of specimens may
show constant variations which merit specific designation for
these varieties.
CALAMARIA MEARNSI Stejneger
Calamaria mearnsi STEJNEGER, Smith. Misc. Coll. 50 (1908) 30;
GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 262.
Description of species —(After the type description.) Ros-
tral well visible from above; frontal slightly longer than broad,
more than twice as broad as supraoculars, shorter than parie-
tals; 1 preocular; 1 postocular; diameter of eye less than half
its distance from edge of mouth; 5 supralabials, third and fourth
entering eye; 2 pairs of chin shields, in contact with each other;
mental separated from chin shields by first pair of lower labials;
scales in 13 rows; ventrals 251; anal entire; subcaudals 12
pairs; tip of tail rounded.
Color in alcohol.—Dark brown above, each of the two outer
scale rows broadly tipped with pale yellowish; parietals and pre-
frontals with pale yellowish markings; a pale yellowish collar,
about two scales wide; seven scale rows behind head; a pair of
large pale spots on sides at base of tail; tip of tail pale, except
extreme point which is dark; underside uniform pale with ends
of ventrals like back; a dark brown line along middle of under-
side of tail.
Measuremenis of Calamaria mearnsi Stejneger.
mm.
Total length 270
Snout to vent 262
Tail 8
Remarks.—This species is known only from the type. It was
collected in Tangob, northern Mindanao, June 10, 1906, by Maj.
HK. A. Mearns.
Stejneger remarks: “This species is apparently most closely
allied to Calamaria everetti.and the C. pavimenta group; but
differs from the latter in the number of supralabials, and from
both in the much smaller eye; the large number of ventrals dis-
* Loe. cit.
161465——18
194 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
tinguishes it at once not only from these Calamarians but from
all other species known from the Philippines and in fact from
most of the species of the genus. C. gracillina from Borneo,
exceeds it in having 300 and more ventrals, but it lacks pre-
ocular and has no distinct postocular. C. collaris, from Cele-
bes, has from 232 to 265 ventrals but has a much larger eye,
and a very different style of coloration.”
CALAMARIA TROPICA sp. nov.
Type.—No. 887, E. H. Taylor collection; collected on the low
coastal mountains near Naujan, Mindoro, May 2, 1916, by E. H.
Taylor.
Description of type—(Juv.) Rostral about as high as broad,
well visible above; prefrontals large, not entering eye, later-
ally in contact with first and second labials, their mutual suture
scarcely longer than suture with frontal; latter one and a half
times as long as broad, longer than its distance from end of
snout, slightly shorter than parietals, more than twice as long
and twice as wide as supraoculars; parietals much longer than
wide, in contact with postocular and fifth labial; nostril pierced
in a minute nasal; a small triangular loreal present, touching
second and third labials; a single narrow preocular; postocular
a little higher than wide; no anterior temporals; 6 labials, third
and fourth entering orbit, fifth largest; mental moderate, not
as wide as rostral, in contact with 2 large anterior chin shields,
which are nearly twice the length of second pair, second pair
of chin shields forming a mutual suture nearly half their length;
5 lower labials, the 3 anterior touching first chin shields; scales
in 13 smooth rows; anal single; ventrals 150; subcaudals 19;
body cylindrical; tail ending in a blunt point; eye wider than
its distance to mouth.
Color in life-—Ividescent brown with numerous irregular dark
dots; a more or less regular series of yellowish cream dots on
outer row of scales, and another, less distinct, on third row;
neck with a dark brown bar five scales wide, with a yellow-cream
bar one or two scales wide behind it which unites with the yellow-
cream ventral color; top of head same as ground color of back
with numerous dots and flecks of darker: a yellow-cream irreg-
ular line on prefrontal; dark color on upper head, on rostral
and upper parts of labials; a very small dark area on upper
anterior part of fifth labial; the yellow-cream color on sides fails
to meet medially to form a collar in front of dark nuchal bar;
chin and belly immaculate; a dark line crosses outer edges of
ventrals; a median subeaudal dark line.
BOIGA 195
Measurements of Calamaria tropica sp. nov.
mm.
Total length 101
Snout to vent 93
Tail 8
Remarks.—The species is based on a single specimen, the
type. The presence of the loreal clearly differentiates it from
all other species of Calamaria. The unique specimen was col-
lected from under leaves along a forest path on the eastern
Mindoro coast.
SLIGHTLY POISONOUS SNAKES
BOIGIN4
Hypapophyses absent in posterior part of vetebral column;
nostrils lateral, not valvular; posterior maxillary teeth grooved;
somewhat poisonous, but not dangerous to man.
Five genera of the Boigine are known in the Philippines and
are distinguished as follows:
Key to the Philippine genera of the Boigine.
a’. Ventral scales rounded, not keeled or notched; pupil vertically elliptic.
b'. Seales with apical pits; head very distinct from neck.
Boiga fitzinger (p. 195). -
b*. Scales with apical pits; head not strongly distinct from neck.
Psammodynastes Giinther (p. 209).
a. Ventral scales strongly keeled and notched; scales with apical pits.
by Pupil horizontal e260. osc eats Dryephiops Boulenger (p. 213).
Oe SPU a OMA esse steed ee seg heard k svsen eden sees Chrysopelea Boie (p. 215).
b*. Pupil vertically elliptic... Dryophis Dalman (p. 218).
Genus BOIGA Fitzinger
Hurria, part., DaupiIn, Rept. 5 (1803) 275.
Boiga, part., FITZINGER, Neue Class. Rept. (1826) 29-31.
Dipsas, part., Bog, Isis (1827) 548; SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837)
257; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 169; JAN, Elenco Sist.
Ofid. (1863) 103; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 307.
Dipsadomorphus FITZINGER, in Tschudi, Faun. Per., Herp. (1845) 55;
Syst. Rept. (1843) 27; BouLENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896)
59.
Macrocephalus FITZINGER, Syst. Rept. (18438) 27.
Gonyodipsas FITZINGER, Syst. Rept. (1848) 27.
Eudipsas FITZINGER, Syst. Rept. (1843) 27.
Cephalophis FITZINGER, Syst. Rept. (1848) 27.
Opetiodon DUMERIL and BiBRON, Mem. Ac. Sci. 23 (1853) 4
Gén. 7 (1854) 905; DuMmErIL, Prodr. Class. Ophid. (18538)
Triglyphodon DUMERIL and Bipron, Mem. Ac. Sci. 23 (1855) 507;
DUMERIL, Prodr. Class. Ophid. (1853) 111.
Toxicodryas HALLOWELL, Proc. Ac. Philadelphia (1857) 60.
196 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Boiga Corr, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1860) 264; STEJNE-
GER, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 15 (1902) 16; BaArsBour, Mem.
Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv. Coll. 44 (1912) 126.
Pappophis Macueay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. 8S. W. 2 (1877) 39.
Dipsas BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 357.
Liophallus Copg, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1894) 427.
“Maxillary teeth 10 to 14, subequal in size, followed by two
or three enlarged, grooved fangs; anterior mandibular teeth
longest. Head very distinct from neck; eye moderate or large,
with vertically elliptic pupil; posterior nasal more or less deeply
concave. Body more or less compressed; scales smooth, more
or less cblique, with apical pits, in 17 to 31 rows, the vertebral
row more or less enlarged; ventrals obtusely angulate laterally.
Tail moderate or long; subcaudals in two rows.” (Boulenger.)
The genus is distributed through tropical Africa, southern
China, Malay Archipelago, Papuasia, Australia, and Philippines.
Key to the Philippine species of Boiga Fitzinger.*
a’, Anterior palatine teeth but slightly enlarged.
b'. Snout longer than diameter of eye; scales in 21 rows; body with
numerous black and yellow bars........ B. dendrophila (Boie) (p. 197).
b>. Snout as long as eye; scales in 19 rows; grayish or yellowish brown,
with brown spots and crossbars, the latter extending across belly.
B. angulata (Peters) (p. 204).
a®, Anterior palatine teeth strongly enlarged.
b'. Scales in 19 rows; brownish yellow above with black crossbars.
B. philippina (Peters) (p. 206).
b?. Seales in 23 to 25 rows; head large; body brownish, barred with
black, or uniform fawn color without trace of markings.
B. cynodon (Boie) (p. 206).
These snakes are arboreal in habit and, with the exception of
the first, rare. The large size of the eyes suggests their noc-
turnal habits. They prey largely on warm-blooded animals, such
as birds and small mammals. The body is elongate, compressed,
and the neck is usually slender. Botga angulata and B. philip-
pina are restricted to the Philippines; B. dendrophila and B.
eynodon are widely distributed.
These snakes have two or three grooved fangs in the posterior
part of the maxilla. This indicates that they are equipped with
poison which probably would prove deadly only to birds and
small mammals. There is no record to show that they are
deadly to man, and it is almost certain that they are not.
* Casto de Elera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 446, lists B. drapeezii
Boie and B. fusca Gray from the Philippines, and two unidentified species.
The records of the first two are erroneous.
BOIGA 197
The names Aguason and Agnasan are applied to Boiga den-
drophila in the Bicol provinces. In Dapitan it is called Lilusan.
Boiga cynodon is frequently confused with the young pythons by
various Mindanao peoples.
BOIGA DENDROPHILA (Boie)
Dipsas dendrophila Bok, Isis (1827) 549; WacGLER, Icon. Amph.
(1828) pl. 8; Syst. Amph. (1830) 181; ScHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2
(1837), 263; pl. 11, figs. 1-3; Abbild. (1844) 133, pl. 45, figs. 1-9;
CANTOR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 76; MoTLEy and DILLwyn, Contr.
Nat. Hist. Lab. (1855) 47; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858),
169; Rept. Brit. India (1864) 310; Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1879)
78; JAN, Icon. Gén. (1871) 38, pl. 4, fig. 2.
Dipsas (Dipsas) dendrophila FiscuEer, Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg
2 (1885) 81; BorrtcrrR, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 113.
Triglyphodon dendrophilum DUMERIL and Bripron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854)
1086.
Triglyphodon gemmicinctum DUMERIL and B1BRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854)
1091.
Boiga dendrophila Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1860)
264; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 5 (1910) 214; § D 6 (1911)
263; BARBOUR, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv. Coll. 44 (1912) 125
Dipsas (Triglyphodon) gemmicincta PeTeRS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861),
688.
Dipsadomorphus dendrophilus (and varieties) BOULENGER, Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 70 and 71.
This widely distributed species, which occurs from the Malay
Peninsula throughout the East Indian Archipelago, goes through
a large number of variations, several of which merit subspecific
designation. Boulenger lists seven varieties in his Catalogue;
namely, dendrophiia Boie, melanotus Bleeker, annectens Bou-
lenger, regularis Boulenger, multicinctus Boulenger, gemmicinc-
tus Duméril and Bibron, and latifasciatus Boulenger.
Of these varieties only dendrophila multicincta Boulenger and
dendrophila latifasciata Boulenger occur in the Philippines; the
former appear to be confined to Palawan, the latter to Mindanao
and Samar. A third form, occurring in Luzon and Samar(?),
differs very markedly from B. dendrophila latifasciata and prob-
ably a little less so from the Palawan form. I propose to give
this the subspecific designation B. dendrophila divergens subsp.
nov.
Key to the Philippine subspecies of Boiga dendrophila (Bote).
a. 50 to 58 broad, greenish yellow bands about body and tail; ground
color dark black, each scale in the yellow bands edged with black;
ventrals, 207 to 222; subcaudals, 93 to 101. Mindanao and Samar.
B. d. latifasciata (Boulenger) (p. 198).
198 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
a’. 90 to 110 narrow, yellow bars on body and tail; ground color dark
black; ventrals, 220 to 240; subcaudals, 105 to 115.
B. d. multicincta (Boulenger) (p. 200).
a’. 81 to 97 narrow, grayish white bars; ground color dull black washed
with gray; young, brownish with a yellow line defining the temporal
region. Ventrals, 219 to 228; subcaudals, 80 to 87. Luzon, Samar,
PG [ill Geese cetera sake tea oes B. d. divergens subsp. nov. (p. 201).
BOIGA DENDROPHILA LATIFASCIATA (Boulenger)
Dipsadomorphus dendrophilus var. latifasciatus BOULENGER, Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 71.
Description of subspecies —(From No. 18, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao, October 10, 1912,
by E. H. Taylor.) (Adult male.) Head short and blunt, much
widened in parietal region, very distinct from neck; rostral
somewhat wider than deep, barely visible from above, its sutures
with internasals and nasals subequal; internasals broader than
long, not touching loreal, little shorter than prefrontals; latter
broader than long, in contact with loreal and nasal, forming their
smallest sutures with the former; frontal seven-eighths as wide
as long, broader than supraoculars but of equal length, as long
as or a little longer than its distance from end of snout,
its anterior suture a continuous straight line; parietals large,
much longer than wide, their width equaling length of frontal;
a slightly enlarged transverse row of scales bordering labials,
temporals, and parietals posteriorly; nostril large, between 2
nasals; loreal small, triangular, longer than wide, not entering
eye; preocular large, widely separated from frontal, visible
from above; supraccular little longer than wide; 2 postoculars,
inferior largest; temporals 2 + 3 (on the right side the lower
is crowded back somewhat, and only 1 temporal touches post-
oculars) ; 8 upper labials, third, fourth, and fifth entering eye;
seventh largest; sixth on right side is broken horizontally; men-
tal twice as wide as deep; 10 lower labials, 4 in contact with
anterior chin shields which are much longer and broader than
second pair; a small, third pair of chin shields: eye large, its
diameter equal to its distance from anterior border of nostril:
ventrals, 210; anal single; subcaudals, 98 pairs; body much com-
pressed.
Color in life.—Coal black above with 60 greenish yellow bands
around body, each yellow scale bordered with black; the bands
crossing belly usually the width of three ventrals: about 16 of
these bands belong to tail and do not extend entirely across
ventral surface; on posterior part of body they do not cross
entirely; first 24 ventrals on neck yellow, narrowly edged with
BOIGA 199
black; upper and lower labials and scales under head yellow
edged with black. Top of head black; 1 or 2 yellow spots on
parietals, and posterior to and in front of eye are other spots
of yellow.
Measurements of Boiga dendrophila latifasciata (Boulenger).
mm.
Total length 1,215
Snout to vent 962
Tail 253
Width of head 23
Length of head | 31
Variation—The known range of ventrals in this subspecies
is 207 to 222; of subcaudals, 93 to 101. In three specimens the
loreal is absent; in no case is the loreal found entering eye.
This subspecies usually has 3 pairs of chin shields. Only one
TABLE 38.—Measurements and scale counts of Boiga dendrophila lats-
fasciata (Boulenger).
| g | |. lal
| eae ere la}
No. | Locality. Collector. B | 3 hs 5 es o
by * Pp i) |
| S$, 8/3/58 | 3) 8
| a | Spe og | me
| mm. mm, |
F | 1,215} 258 | 210! 98] 1
@ | vs} 137} 207] 98) 1
é 1,020 | 217 | aij 97) 1
ce) 960 | 206, 218! 101; 1
ye 660 | 125| 213| 101| 1
eae Qe Neos a joeeeee 210, 94 1 |
1727 | Bunawan, Agusan __-_- .---| E. H. Taylor__--| yg eas | esanee |esseeseeeces 1 |
i} 1 4
<< a es eee = = . ar ——— = = = 7 a ee
Gi : e
OU re el ae ce age ee ee |
= Pa) na n |
No. ‘a Bo lee Ga cae | oa Tae ea a pe Collection.
- 9 a} as] sy ee § | gz | @
A 3 ee el 9 PENDS sf = eee u HO Be tee et |
ir] u ° 5 Chee (c) or o | $
oO) & } my a Aja, ei) a
= | a
| Pairs. | | |
' 18 3 1 2 2] 34,5! 10 1 0 | 2438 | 21 | BE. H. Taylor. |
|
fy S251) bei 1 2 8) 34,5) 10 1 0} 248) 2 Do
| 20 3 1 2 8 | 34,5 | 10-11 1 o|2+3) 21 Do.
| 21; 81 24 2) 985346; go] of 00/248), 21 Do.
22 | 2} 1| 2] 8/845] 10] 1) of2+3] 2 Do. |
ie aren ees 1 2 8/345) 10 0 0 | 2+38 | 21 | Santo Tomas.
| 1727 | 3 1 2 8 | 3,4,5 | 11 0 0 | 2+3! 21] Bureau of Science. |
[eet eee ee el j
specimen, the one described, shows the tendency of the sixth
and seventh upper labials to break; in the other subspecies this
tendency is very pronounced.
Remarks.—This subspecies is common at Bunawan, Agusan,
Mindanao. A number of specimens taken were lost, and many
200 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
seen were not taken. The snake was always found in low brush
and trees, invariably away from the ground. It makes no or
very little effort to fight. One specimen taken had just eaten
a bat. This subspecies is probably confined to Mindanao and
the near-by islands. Samar apparently has two forms of the
species. Boettger reports a specimen of Boiga dendrophila
latifasciata from there, and there is a specimen of B. dendro-
phila divergens in the Santo Tomés Museum presumably from
Samar.
BOIGA DENDROPHILA MULTICINCTA (Boulenger)
PLATE 25; PLATE 26, FIGS. 4 TO 6
Dipsadomorphus dendrophilus var. multicinctus BOULENGER, Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 71.
Boiga dendrophila multicincta BarsourR, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool.
Harvard Coll. 44 (1912) 125.
Description of subspecies.—Similar to Boiga dendrophila lati-
fasciata, but with a higher number of ventrals and subcaudals;
ventrals vary between 220 and 240, the average being 231; sub-
caudals vary between 105 and 115, the average being 111; there
are 11 instead of 10 lower labials; there is a decided tendency
for the seventh labial to break horizontally, thus in eight of the
thirteen specimens examined this division has occurred; there
are only 2 pairs of chin shields present, and the number of
labials touching the first pair is 4 or 5. One specimen has
the loreal entering the eye below the preocular.* The temporal
elements frequently assume the position represented by the for-
mule : 43.
Color.—Body above black with a large series of narrow yel-
lowish to yellowish white bars on body and tail; the number of
bars varies from 93 to 111, the average being 106; these light
bars are seldom more than 1 scale wide.
Measurements of Boiga dendrophila multicincta (Boulenger), No. 906,
Bureau of Science collection.
mm.
Total length 1,160
Snout to vent 900
Tail 260
Remarks.—This subspecies is common in Palawan and in Ba-
labac; I obtained the specimens in my own collection from the
latter locality. These do not differ from those found on the
Palawan mainland.
* rar . - rae } } << i i+]
Boulenger records this same anomaly on a specimen in the British
Museum, op. cit. 70.
BOIGA 201
TABLE 39.—Measurements and scale counts of Boiga dendrophila multi-
cincta (Boulenger).
. a e
3 3 | @
3|a @| 8
No. Locality. Collector. = . 8 a “a 5
¢| g¢/e/8)8) 2/48) 2!
n a a | Pla; a} oo} a |
—|—|——}-- |
mm. |mm. prs. |
7 | Iwahig, Palawan ---__- W. Schultze -___-----. 2 | 1,360 | 290 | 228 | 105 1 24) Al |
BGS; MOR Adon C. M. Weber.....-.--- 2 | 1,410 | 325 | 231} 113) 1] 2) 1 |
280 | 220/113; 1] 2] 1 |
250} 237) 118} 1] 2] 1 |
215 | 237) 113] 1} 2) 1 |
260 | 229) 113; 1) 2] 1 |
250 | 229! 113] 1] 2/ 1 |
295 | 240] 106] 1 2 | i |
290 | 231/111) 1 2 1 |
146 | 238} 115) 1] 2) 1 |
300:( 221) 4125] |, esp a
=P nes!
=a ioey [eee =
‘ fa} aQ | na i
War gare eee S| ¢ |g] |
a} oa) 81 4/22] ei8s| B] Ee) 4
No. 3 fon Mea) pe | 2a) 2) o> 5 a > Collection.
| 8] 8 Su | S65 | ‘3 g$|/s?) 2 o| 6
S53. = i ae ee lS fen Ree]
éj2 | a” | 6 |e8/ 8/8 | & | 8]
i 4 4 ey. ar oe Th |
\f2
7 2 8} 3,4,5 11 1 | No Ha 3 lo 104 | Bureau of Science.
568] 2] 8) 3.45] mj] 5] 1{|No| 243] 21] 103 Do.
656) 2] 8] 3,45|/1011} 4] 1 No oe } 21 | 104 Do.
676) 2) 8 5 e |
345/ uu] 5) 1] No iS | 21} 11 Do.
| |
701 2) 8/845) ml! 4| 1) No (G 3} a1! 100 Do.
906 | 2 8 34,5] 10-11] 4|/ 1]No! 243] 21] a1 Do.
Si 2 | 8 | 3,4,5 11 ce Ay Not 28°) OF | a6 Do
f 34,5 |) va
918| 21/89 46.6 fia] 6) 2 No | 3+3] 21] 41 Do.
| |
\ {
g9| 2}8-9) 345 }arn] 5. 1| No (743 |} 21 109 Do.
1367] 2) 8| 3,45 u | 1| Yes | 243) 21! 110 Do
| 13382 | | 34,5 11} 5] 1/No. 2438] 21! 93 Do.
i | | |
BOIGA DENDROPHILA DIVERGENS subsp. nov.
Type.—No. 186, E. H. Taylor collection; collected on Mount
Maquiling, Laguna, Luzon, November 12, 1913, by E. H. Taylor.
Description of type—Head large, blunt, double the width of
neck; rostral a little wider than high, forming its smallest
sutures with first labials; internasals rather small, about half
as large as prefrontals; latter forming their smallest suture with
loreal, their longest with frontal, their mutual suture deep ;
frontal with anterior suture forming a straight line, sides round-
202 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
ing instead of angular; wider than supraocular and about the
same length; parietals large, longer than wide, very much larger
than frontal, in contact laterally with one temporal and upper
postocular; supraoculars much wider behind than anteriorly,
broadly in contact with prefrontals; nasal divided, the anterior
part quadrangular, lower than posterior ; nostril large; loreal
small, narrowly entering eye below preocular, touching 2 labials;
preocular higher than wide; eye large, equal to its distance from
middle of nostril; 2 postoculars, upper slightly the larger; tem-
porals, 2 + 2; 8 upper labials, third, fourth, and fifth broadly
entering orbit; labials in the following order of size; seventh,
sixth, eighth, fifth, third, fourth, second, first; mental small, as
wide as rostral; 10 lower labials, 5 touching anterior chin shields, -
which are double the size of second pair; third pair of chin
shields small; mental groove very deep; scales in 21 rows around
body; ventrals, 228; anal single; subcaudals, 80 pairs.
-Color in life-——Above bluish, the larger part of the scales
with a wash of light gray-ultramarine, more pronounced on pos-
terior part of body; back with 63 narrow, bluish white, trans-
verse bands extending to edge of ventrals where they widen
slightly and are more yellowish in color on belly; tail with
16 bands; yellowish dots on supraoculars and prefrontals; a row
of bluish white dots outlines the posterior temporal region;
upper and lower labials each with a large yellowish white area
enclosed with black, except on border of mouth; lateral head
scales with light spots; anterior ventrals and chin scales yellow-
ish edged with black.
Measurements of Boiga dendrophila divergens subsp. nov.
mm.
Total length 1,370
Snout to vent 1,114
Tail 256
Width of head 21
Length of head 35
Variation.—Two specimens in the Bureau of Science collection
from Polillo* show the following variations from the type:
The loreal in both specimens is smaller and does not enter eye;
the temporal formula of one is 2+ 3 and ‘ +3 and of the
other, 2 + 3; in one specimen there are four labials touching
the first chin shields, in the other (a young one) five; the ground
color is brown, darker on anterior part of body; the transverse
* Griffin, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 5 (1910) 214.
BOIGA 203
bars are yellowish white and encircle body on anterior part;
belly grayish brown; there are yellow spots on all the head scales.
except frontal, those in front of eye prominent; a line begins
-on eye and runs along edge of parietal and around temporal
region to labials; two small posterior branches run a short dis-
tance on neck. There is a specimen in the Santo Tomas Mu-
seum, presumably from Samar.
Remarks.—This subspecies is probably more closely related
to the Palawan Boiga dendrophila multicincta than to the Min-
danao B. dendrophila latifasciata. The number of ventrals
varies between 219 and 228; of subcaudals, between 80 and 87;
the ventrals average 223, 8 less than in B. dendrophila multi-
cincta, and the subcaudals average 83, which is 28 less than in B.
dendrophila multicincta; 10 is the usual number of lower labials.
None of the specimens examined shows the seventh labial broken. .
The difference in color, the markings in the temporal region, and
the smaller number of subcaudals suffice to distinguish this
form from the other two Philippine subspecies.
TABLE 40.—Measurements and scale counts of Boiga dendrophila divergens
subsp. nov.
(oe al ( ; i
. a '
| & | 3 a | os
| No. Locality. Collector. u s 3 } 2 3 =o
i 2 bo : = 9 = ro) $e
| Bee eae eh ee ees
| n 4H a > n < Ay Hy
mm, mm.
186 | Laguna__-_-.______- E.H. Taylor ___| ? 1,370 | 256] 228 80 1 1| Yes
805 | Polillo -___ -| C. Canonizado__| & 1,128 | 2140 | 223] 2847 1 1} No.
806 | -2- Owes Sete ee 2 (2 Ko ee a ye 375 14 | 223 87 2 1} No
meee ces Samar ecexscct see eset aera iO lesan ser den etal 209) aBd 1 1| Yes
eeeaeet Mares ee Gee | Eoeae eos lr 219 | ce) i 1| No
| Labials. | | |
| era ee ee ae il) <2
No. | | 2 | 6a | 3 BE | a | Collection. |
a ge Ht) Fe 3 8 z Bl
oe ea) ee
a | EB ee = ein g Sy 4 |
=) | 4H | B | & | & a | Ee | |
| ae | eee - 7 red oanaee na a oe a pany = ay
186] 8) 10 | 34,5 5) 242] 21) 79) B. H. Taylor.
805 | 8 10 3,4,5 | 4 | 243 | 21 | a 83 | Bureau of Science.
2+3 |
(806; 8] 10] 345) 5 1 21} 98) Do.
Il 243 |
| | all th |lede | | | F
|enn-eo se | | io |[ 245 | 4} 2+8 21| 98 | Santo Tomas
eee 8 | 10} 3,4,5 | 6] 248 | a1) 86 Do.
* Tail mutilated.
204 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
BOIGA ANGULATA (Peters)
PLATE 26, FIGS. 1 To 3; PLATE 27
Dipsas (Dipsadomorphus) angulata PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861)
688; BorTTcER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 113; (1892) XLIX.
Dipsas (Eudipsas) guiraonis * STEINDACHNER, Novara, Rept. (1867)
75, pl. 3, figs. 9, 10; Borrrcrr, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 118;
F. MUuuer, III. Nacht. Cat. Herp. Samml. Basel Mus. (1883) 18;
FiscHer, Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg 2 (1885) 81.
Dipsadomorphus angulatus BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3
(1896) 75.
Boiga angulata GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 5 (1910) 2138; § D6
(1911) 263; Tayzor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917) 366.
Description of species —(From No. 271, Bureau of Science
collection; collected on Mount Marapara, Occidental Negros,
September, 1909, elevation, 715 meters, by F. W. Foxworthy.)
(Adult male.) Head short, rather thick, but little longer than
wide; supraocular region prominent; diameter of eye minutely
shorter than its distance from end of snout; rostral distinctly
broader than high, scarcely visible from above, forming its
longest suture with nasal; internasals small, their surface round-
ing, truncate anteriorly, broader than long; prefrontals broader
than long, with a distinct depression at posterior end of their
common suture; frontal as long as wide, slightly shorter than
its distance from end of snout, a little wider than supraoculars,
not in contact with preocular, its anterior suture forming a
straight line; parietals slightly longer than broad, a little longer
than frontal, in contact with 1 postocular, their edges irregular;
nasal large, followed by a very small loreal, higher than wide;
1 preocular, elongate, wider at top than bottom; 2 postoculars,
upper largest; temporals 2 -+ 2, the upper anterior touching both
postoculars; 8 upper labials, third, fourth, and fifth entering
eye; mental as wide as rostral, very short; 10 lower labials,
5 touching first chin shields, which are much longer and wider
than posterior pair; scales in 19 rows, smooth, distinctly an-
gular on body, with the median row enlarged; median laterals
very small; scales on neck much elongate, narrow, and pointed;
ventrals, 267; anal single; subeaudals, 152; body very slender,
compressed; neck very long, extremely narrow, less than one-
third the width of head.
Color in aleohol_—Above a light yellow brown, with a large
series of dim, darker brown, transverse bands or blotches which
widen laterally and are discernible on belly; a series of large
lighter spots along ae of ventrals; belly strongly marked with
cE flow Doulenses in contin tiie a synonym of ce hintaan
BOIGA 205
darker, elongate, brown spots, arranged in two broken lines
on ventrals; head brownish flecked with darker; upper labials
light, throat and chin muddy white.
Measurements of Boiga angulata (Peters).
mm,
Length 1,477
Snout to vent 1,107
Tail 370
Length of head 18
Width of head 15
Variation.—A second specimen from Polillo * is at hand. It
agrees very well in scalation with the one described. The bars
on body and the ground color above are darker; below there are
fewer dark spots, and no traces of the dark line noted in the
described specimen. The frontal in the second specimen is as
long as or a little longer than its distance from end of snout. The
known ventral range of the species is from 254 to 267; subcaudal
TABLE 41.—Measurements and scale counts of Boiga angulata (Peters).
on ae a metas Fe | | ai
| | a 3
i | : g/g ci |
No. Locality. Collector. < ham er : el
‘ & ‘ = eames} my o |
as eae ec eee) eae
7 | | a | > | a < i)
= a see = =i == <a ae ioe
| | |
| | mm. | mm. |
271 | Negros _._.------------ | FW. Foxworthy...| ¢ | 1,477) 370) 267/ 152 1/8
8789: || Polillo;-22-¢225 22-2322 C. Canonizado_.____. | g [i 105 | 260 260 )2120 1 8
ener -| & | 1,005] 275! 263] 147 1| 8
(6) | 1,015 240 | 254) 126 1} 8 |
i Bee = | ! | ; |
| ob is | Sa 5 Ed }$ o |
25 a | Bog | Bs 2 | . =o |
No. s eB 5's Sad} § q 2 a | ea ae | Collection. |
ar ba | — oa os ai | oH | a Oe i
AS | 4 | #8 aR en eae |
ere | Banna -|
271 | 3,4,5 10 5 | 1 2 2+2 | 19 | Bureau of Science. |
2799 | 3,4,5 | 10-11 6; 1 2; 242) 19] Do.
Be ees 3,4,5 10 | 5 1 2| 24143 19 | College of Agriculture.
(BY 8s 15) ees | eden 1| | een eee 19 | Berlin?
! i
4 Tail slightly mutilated and part missing.
b Type, data from Peters, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 68%.
range, from 126 to 152. The type is said to have a divided
nasal. In the specimen I have described the nasal has a slight
depression or suture partly dividing it; the second specimen
shows no suture or depression.
* Griffin, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 5 (1910) 214, makes note of the variation
of this specimen, and records the fact that the stomach contained a large
Calotes.
2.06 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
The type is from Leyte, collected by F’. Jagor. Specimens have
been taken also in Polillo, Negros, and Catanduanes.
BOIGA PHILIPPINA (Peters)
Dipsas philippina PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1867) 27; BorTTcER, Ber.
Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 113.
Dipsadomorphus philippinus BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus.
3 (1896) 77.
Boiga philippina GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 263.
Description of species —(After the type description.) An-
terior palatine and mandibular teeth strongly enlarged; head
very broad; neck narrow; rostral broader than deep, just visible
from above; internasals broader than long, much shorter than
prefrontals; frontal as long as broad, or a little longer, as long
as its distance from rostral; loreal about as long as deep; 2
preoculars, upper in contact or nearly in contact with frontal;
2 postoculars; temporals variable; 8 upper labials, third, fourth,
and fifth entering eye; 12 lower labials; scales in 19 rows, ver-
tebral row hexagonal and strongly enlarged; ventrals, 240; anal
divided; 'subcaudals, 133.
Color.—Brownish yellow above, with black crosslines ; head
spotted with black, but no temporal streak present.
Measurements of Boiga philippina (Peters).
mm.
Total length 690
Snout to vent 535
Tail 155
Head length 20
Remarks.—I have been unable to obtain a specimen of this rare
reptile. The type locality is ‘““Ylaces,* Northwest Luzon,’ col-
lected by Semper. It is known only from the type.
BOIGA CYNODON (Boie)
Dipsas cynodon Borg, Isis (1827) 559; GUERIN, Icon. Reg. Anim.
Rept. (1829) pl. 21, fig. 2; ScHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 268,
pl. 11, figs. 10 and 11; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 308;
JAN, Icon. Gén. (1871) 38, pl. 6, fig. 1; ScLATER, Journ. As.
Soc. Bengal 60 (1891) 244; BorTrcer, Abh. Mus. Dresden No. 7
(1894-95) 4,
Dipsas cynodon, part., CANToR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 177.
Opetiodon cynodon DUMERIL and Bipron, Erp. Gen. 7 (1854) 907.
Eudipsas cynodon GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 168.
Pareas waandcrsii BLEEKER, Nat. Tijds. Nederl. Ind. 21 (1860) 471.
Dipsas bn cynodon BoETTcEerR, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886)
113; Casto bE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Eas 1 (1895) 435.
+ Probably a misspelling of ae (or Ylocos as he name was fommiedn
spelled), a province in Luzon.
BOIGA 207
Dipsadomorphus cynodon BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3
(1896) 78.
Boiga cynodon GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 599; § D5
(1910) 213; § D 6 (1911) 264.
Description of species——(From No. 88, Bureau of Science
collection; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, March, 1909, by W.
Schultze.) (Adult male.) Anterior palatine and mandibular
teeth very strongly enlarged; head large, distinct from neck;
rostral scarcely visible above, broader than deep, forming its
longest suture with nasal, its shortest with first labial; inter-
nasals broader than long, curving downward on sides, rather
narrowed in front, their mutual suture little more than half
that between prefrontals; latter very much larger than inter-
nasals, forming their shortest sutures with nasals and supra-
oculars, broader than long, a little shorter than frontal; latter
about five-sixths as wide as long, shorter than its distance from
rostral, little wider than supraoculars; parietals very little longer
than wide, in contact with upper postocular, nasal divided, nos-
tril large; loreal present, longer than high; preocular single,
very high, visible above, touching only fourth labial below; 2
postoculars, subequal in size; temporals 3 + 2; 9 upper labials,
fourth, fifth, and sixth entering eye, eighth largest; mental
much broader than deep; 13 and 14 lower labials, 5 touching
anterior chin shields which are much smaller than second pair;
5 labials touching second pair of chin shields; scales with apical
pits, in 23 rows around body, the outer ventral row strongly
enlarged; ventrals 268; anal single; subcaudals 149; eye very
large, its diameter about equal to its distance from nostril;
body very strongly compressed; neck long and slender.
Color in alcohol.—Above yellowish to dark brown with about
A4 more or less distinct transverse bands on body, and about
35 on tail where they are wider and are separated by only a
very narrow interspace; bars distinct on neck; head dark brown
without spots; a distinct black line from eye to angle of jaw;
below, immaculate on chin, throat, and belly; muddy under tail.
Measurements of Boiga cynodon (Boie).
mm.
Total length 1,915
Snout to vent . 1,450
Tail 465
Width of head 22
Length of head 36
Width of neck 10
Width of body 15
Variation.—A second specimen (No. 89) in the collection of
the Bureau of Science agrees with the described form in scala-
208 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
tion, and is almost identical in color and markings. A third
specimen, in my own collection, differs from the described form
as follows: In my specimen the black blotches are very much
wider inclosing elongate grayish spots ventrally, about 28 on
body and about an equal number on tail. Head has 2 small
spots on frontal and another spot on each parietal; the black line
behind eye is present. Below, body is muddy yellow with a
series of irregular black blotches along both sides of ventrals;
below, tail is dark, variegated with lighter spots. Width of
head is 32 millimeters; length of head, 45. There are 14 and
15 lower labials; the loreal is nearly twice as long as wide;
the diameter of eye is less than its distance to nostril.
TABLE 42.—Measurements and scale counts of Boiga cynodon (Boie).
oe 1 |
| ear ee
| : } ae ese | |
No. Locality. Collector. | | 3 I sce ali aseeeat teers
rom ig ae Aes eh Oc |) ce
| 3 S for ae! 4 | 3
} o o 3 Ae he es
| na 4 a omen geet <
eee a — _ = | | | —— | ——
| mine. | mum. | |
B8:|\ Palawan s: 22008 2e2: 2 2u secre W. Schultze-.......| S | 1,915 | 465} 268) 149! 1 |
90 | Polillo _| C. Canonizado ___... | = | 1,590) 398 269 | 143] 1 |
253 | Bunawan, Agusan _____..-_---. E. H. Taylor -___ __| ¢ | 2,020) 465] 268] 141 | 1 |
89° | Philip piness scene 52. n se es C.. WH. Lamb..-..-2.- OF 17965 | 425.) 209) 6S) a
wont Los Bajos, Luzon ....--.-------|.--.-do --....-2----..| | 1,085 ‘a 240) 271] 135] 1
3 g na pers wa |2a 2) yg
y ee o @& OY gq) os a aU pe a
No.| $4 a3 | a5 | Seg | BS |ese3 aE | Collection.
ja jae] be] 4° AS ar a aF |
| eee sees PES a a = =—_ —
88 | 1 2 | 9 4,5,6 | 13-14 4-5 ak Bureau of Science.
90. fl 2 | 9 4,5,6| 14-15] 4-5 23| Do.
253 | 1 2 | 9 4,5,6 | 65: BB | E. H. Taylor.
89 al 2 9 4,5,6 | 14-15 5-6 23 Bureau of Science.
| ees | 1 2 8-9 | 3, 4,5; 4,5,6 | 15-13 4-5 23 College of Agriculture.
|
There is a single fawn-colored form in the Bureau of Science
collection (No. 90). It has no markings of any kind. In the
size of the head, in body proportions, and in scalation it agrees
with the two specimens recorded above.
The known variation of ventrals in Philippine specimens is
261 to 279; of subcaudals, 129 to 153. The range for the species
given in Boulenger’s Catalogue * is 248 to 290 and 114 to 156
for the ventrals and subcaudals, respectively. The temporals
‘range from 2+ 2 and 2+ 3 to 343 and 3 + 4. The upper
labials vary from 8 to 10, and there is consequent variation in the
number of Jabials entering the eye. The species attains a length
of more than 2 meters.
* Loe. cit.
PSAMMODYNASTES 209
Remarks.—This snake is rare in the Philippines. Boulenger
lists a single specimen from the Philippines, in the Cuming col-
lection. A specimen is in the collection of the College of Agricul-
ture at Los Banos, Luzon; the stomach of this one contained
a bird. In the Philippines it is known from Polillo, Luzon,
Culion, Mindanao, Leyte, and Palawan. Outside of the Phil-
ippines it is known from Burma, Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Su-
matra, and Nias.
Genus PSAMMODYNASTES Giinther
Psammophis, part., BOIE, Isis (1827) 521; SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2
(1837) 201; DuUMERIL and BiBRon, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 887; PETERS,
Mon. Berl. Ak. (1868) 452.
Psammodynastes GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 140; JAN, Elenco
Sist. Ofid. (1863) 90; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 292;
MocaquaArp, Bull. Soc. Philom. VII 11 (1887) 172; BouLENGER,
Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 363; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3
(1896) 172; BorTTcER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 110; Casto
DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 432.
Thamnodynastes WERNER, Abh. Bayer Akad. Wiss. II. Klasse 22
(1904) 372. ;
Anisodon ROSEN, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. VII 15 (1905) 176.
Anisodontes RosEN, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. VII 16 (1905) 128.
“Maxillary teeth 9 to 11, third or third and fourth much
enlarged, fang-like, followed by a short interspace, last enlarged
and grooved; anterior mandibular teeth strongly enlarged.
Head distinct from neck, with angular canthus rostralis; eye
rather large, with vertically elliptic or subelliptic pupil; nostril
in a single nasal; frontal very narrow. Body cylindrical; scales
smooth, without pits, in 17 or 19 rows; ventrals rounded. Tail
moderate or rather short; subcaudals in two rows.” (Bou-
lenger.)
The genus has two species, Psammodynastes pulverulentus
(Boie) and P. pictus Peters. Only the former has been found
in the Philippines.
Snakes of this genus are probably slightly poisonous, but
certainly not deadly to man. They rarely exceed half a meter
in length.
PSAMMODYNASTES PULVERULENTUS (Boie)
Psammophis pulverulenta Bolg, Isis (1827) 547; SCHLEGEL, Phys.
Serp. 2 (1837) 211, pl. 8, figs. 10 and 11; Abbild. (1844) pl. 43,
figs. 1-4; DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 895.
Dipsas ferruginea CANTOR, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1839) 53; BLYTH,
Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 23 (1854) 293; 24 (1855) 715.
Psammodynastes pulverulentus, part., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes
(1858) 140.
161465——14
210 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Psammodynastes pulverulentus GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858)
251; Rept. Brit. India (1864) 292; Zool. Rec. (1867) 188; PETERs,
Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 687; THEOBALD, Cat. Rept. Brit. India (1876)
188; Fiscner, Arch. Nat. (1885) 62; Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg
2 (1885) 81; Mocguarp, Bull. Soc. Philom VII 11 (1887) 172, pl.
3; 12 (1888) 104; F. MUuter, III. Nacht. Cat. Herp. Samml. Basel
Mus. (1883) 17; Boetrcrr, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 110; Bov-
LENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 3863; Cat. Snakes Brit.
Mus. 3 (1896) 172; STEJNEGER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907)
383, figs. 317-319; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 600;
§ D5 (1910) 214; § D 6 (1911) 264.
Psalmodynastes pulverulentus TAyLor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12
(1917) 866; § D 13 (1918) 260 (typ. err.).
Lycodon bairdi STEINDACHNER, Novara Exped. Zool. I. Rept. (1867)
90 (type locality, Philippines).
Anisodon lilljeborgi RosEN, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. VII 15 (1905)
176, pl. 11, fig. 3.
Description of species —(From No. 79, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao, October 1, 1912,
by E. H. Taylor.) Rostral wider than high, visible from above
as a narrow line, the suture with internasals shortest, that with
Fic. 18. Psammodynastes pulverulentus (Boie) : after Stejneger; a, head, dorsal view;
b, head, lateral view; c, head, ventral view.
nasal longest; internasals small, triangular, less than half the
size of prefrontals; latter large, in contact with loreal, preocular,
and nasal; frontal elongate, much longer than wide, longer
than its distance from end of snout, shorter than parietals, a
little wider than supraoculars, its sides concave, pointed behind;
parietals large, longer than wide; nasal longer than deep, nos-
tril pierced near middle; loreal small, irregular, touching 2
labials; 2 preoculars, the upper five times as large as the lower,
visible from above only as a point; supraocular large, broadly in
contact with prefrontal and preocular, much larger than fron-
tal, projecting out over eye, its edge continuous with the rather
PSAMMODYNASTES 211
sharp canthus rostralis; 2 postoculars, the inferior largest;
temporals irregular, only a single temporal in contact with
postoculars; the formule are: right side, é -- 2; left side, 2 -+ 2;
8 upper labials, third, fourth, and fifth entering eye, seventh
and eighth largest; 7 lower labials, three in contact with first
pair of chin shields; 3 pairs of chin shields; lips slightly puffed
out; preocular region concave; scale rows, 17, all smooth;
ventrals, 170; anal single; subcaudals, 53.
Color in lifeé-—Dark ash color above with a series of irregular
blotches extending to end of body. The blotches are somewhat
lighter than the surrounding ground color, and usually involve
two or three very dark scales; tail a much lighter ash color,
showing the blotches indistinctly; below grayish, with a heavy
powdering of minute brownish spots; neck with various light
dots which continue at irregular intervals along body; head
markings very indistinct; a brilliant orange spot on each of
the six chin shields, and a similar spot on sixth labial.
Measurements of Psammodynastes pulverulentus (Boic)
mm.
Total length 575
Snout to vent 472
Tail 103
Variation.—The scale variations in this species are numerous;
this is especially true of the lateral head scales. The loreals
vary between 1 and 2; preoculars, 1 and 2; postoculars, between
1 and 3. For the most part there are 3 pairs of chin shields,
yet in the large series examined many specimens were found
with only 2. No considerable series from any particular island
or locality has been obtainable. Six specimens recently exam-
ined from Balabac Island, just north of Borneo, show the fol-
lowing characteristics: Five have 3 postoculars, one has 2;
four have 1 loreal, two have 2; four have 3 pairs of chin
shields, two have 2. These variations are apparently normal.
All six specimens vary widely in color and markings. I do
not believe it will be possible to separate any subspecific forms
on the basis of color or scale variation.
The ventrals in the Philippine specimens examined range
from 151 to 173; the subcaudals, from 53 to 69. Stejneger *
gives 146 to 175, and 44 to 66 as the known range of the ven-
trals and subcaudals, respectively.
The coloration, especially the ground color, varies greatly.
Certain specimens are grayish brown with large, transverse,
* Loc. cit.
212 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
angular ashy spots of lighter color. Others are yellowish
brown, the edges of the scales edged with brick red, and with
blackish reticulations. Still others are dark with the underpart
of the head dark black with brilliant orange spots, and so on,
There seems to be no limit to the variations possible.
TABLE 43.—Measurements and scale counts of Psammodynastes pulver-
i ulentus (Bote).
| | | | F
| ins
| | || | aie] |
No. Locality. | Collector. | : | seal ba B|s|a4
| [eri] eal cael Geos yls
| | beste le bata)
eS Ae |e a a (ane a, i ey 5 (Teel ire tears
| (mm. mm, \
| : |
79 | Bunawan, Agusan __--------_.--- HA, Taylorececo 355 | Q | 675 | 103 ; 170 | 53 |
3 368] 73/1681 57
9 460° 88] (*), 62)
7 | 355) 72 | 156 61 |
432 | 80 | 164 60, 1)
| 362) 81 | 159; 61) 1 |
365 86 156 66
590 123 173 69
| 342 62 168! 56
390 | 81 158. 61
pet an ee =
| | on v | a Salo | ]
. | of | ce 3 | ss}|— aye Hy |
a uy as Se ea | 3 | 2
uy x Vig | ey pelea = z %
No. os 3 | Fae eae Ma eee emt So 3 Collection.
o oO | om we | =O u ac/78 ° bes
Se lps loan ee dase o 2.6) = 2
a) eo} 6) ele | & leslie |e | §
Ay Ay | 4 =) 4 | Ale |oO | Rin |
719 2h e- Quit abs 428 | 3,45| 7] 8 | 3242 17, E. H. Taylor.
80 2/32] 2] 8 [3.45] 7] 38) 8/242) 17 Do.
dete eral 2 2) 2 S125) oF or 32 j242 17 Santo Tomas.
Sain) 2} 2] 2 8 | 3.4.5 | gs} 3! 3ie+e| 47 Do.
eee | 2 2 1) a2 8 / 34,5 Oni oe 3/242) 17 Do.
ween ) 2 Sei| 32 81 3,4,5 | 7 3 3°2+3 #17 Do.
coe eee eee | 2} 8/345) 8] 8] siets! a7] Do.
thea p22 2 ORB Seae a 8B heegs a7 Do
6g] 2) 2/ 1) 8/346] 7] 8 | 2 242) 17) Bureau of Science.
G09) 25, Bille Sst 28.8 a Bal! a a | 2 2! 17 Do.
93/21] 3] 1] 8 1345] 7] 8] 3ie+e2! 17 Do.
914) 2 25) MAAR seaaaely se | 3) 8/248) 29 Do.
1563) 2) 3-2) 12 8 34,5 | 7) 8/ 2)2+2) 17 Do.
1624) 2} 2] 2) 8) 845) wl 3) Bs lewe' ye Do.
us |
* Mutilated.
Remarks.—This snake probably occurs on all the Philippine
islands; it is known from Luzon, Polillo, Palawan, Balabac,
Mindanao, Bongao, Busuanga, Negros, and Dinagat. It is also
DRYOPHIOPS 213
widely distributed over southeastern Asia, Malay Archipelago,
and Formosa. The specimens are usually taken in forests, fre-
quently under logs and trash, and quite as often while crawl-
ing about in the open, or on small bushes.
Genus DRYOPHIOPS Boulenger
Chrysopelea, part., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 88; Rept. Brit.
India (1864) 298; BoETTcER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 112;
CASTO DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 4384.
Dryophis, part., JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 88.
Dryophiops BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 193; GrRIF-
FIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 264.
“Maxillary teeth 20, subequal, the last two or three a little
enlarged and grooved; anterior mandibular teeth enlarged. Head
elongate, distinct from neck, with distinct canthus rostralis;
eye rather large, with horizontal pupil; nasal entire; frontal
narrow, bell-shaped. Body slender, compressed; scales smooth,
oblique, with apical pits, in 15 rows; ventrals with suture-like
lateral keel and a notch on each side corresponding to the keel.
Tail long; subcaudals in two rows, keeled and notched like the
ventrals.” (Boulenger.)
Two species are known, Dryophiops rubescens Gray, and D.
philippina Boulenger, only the latter occurring in the Philip-
pines. This species is presumably confined to the northern
part of the Philippines. It differs from the former species in
the absence of a loreal scale.
DRYOPHIOPS PHILIPPINA Boulenger
PLATE 6, FIGS. 4 To 6
Chrysopelea rubescens GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 145; Rept.
Brit. India (1864) 299; STEINDACHNER, Reise d. Novara, Rept.
Wien (1869) 71; BorTtTcEer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 112;
CASTO DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 484.
Dryophiops philippina BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896)
193, pl. 9, fig. 2; GrirFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 264.
Description of species —(From No. 132, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at Lamao Experiment Station, Bataan, Luzon,
June 20, 1915, by Homer C. McNamara.) Rostral low, at least
twice as wide as high, visible from above only as a line, largest
suture with internasal, smallest with first labial; internasals
narrowed in front, shorter than nasals; prefrontals wide, deep,
large, in contact with second and third labials, about twice as
large as internasals; frontal as long as its distance from end of
snout, slightly wider than supraoculars, laterally concave, some-
what bell-shaped, narrowly separated from preocular; parietals
214 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
large, three-fourths as wide as long, bordered laterally by 4 tem-
porals, in contact with superior postocular ; nasal single, wedge-
shaped, nostril pierced near central upper part; loreal wanting;
preocular rather large, touching 2 labials; supraocular as long
as and but slightly narrower than frontal, in contact with
prefrontal at a single point; 2 postoculars, superior largest;
temporals 2 + 2 + 2 + 2, gradually increasing in size; first scale
row behind temporals and parietals somewhat enlarged; 9 upper
labials, fourth, fifth, and sixth entering eye; 9 lower labials, 4
in contact with anterior pair of chin shields; these are not
more than half the length of second pair; ventrals 186; anal
divided; subcaudals 135; scales in 15 smooth rows, somewhat
rectangular in shape, apical pits wanting; ventrals and sub-
caudals with keel and notch, the ends rather angular; diameter
of eye much less than distance from nostril, pupil horizontal.
Color in life-—Above dull brownish gray, with many of the
scales on first fourth of body edged or spotted irregularly with
black, the rest of body with scattered dorsal spots, the scales
minutely powdered with small various-sized dots; below creamy
white, with a powdering of small and minute dots; throat and
chin immaculate; head thickly spotted with rather large brown-
ish spots; prefrontals each with a short line; internasals with
diagonal lines; an irregularly edged line of lavender edged with
dark brown goes from point of snout through eye to neck, and
widens a little at angle of jaw; a dull stripe from occipital region
to neck.
Measurements of Dryophiops philippina Boulenger.
mm.
Total length 558
Snout to vent 373
Tail 185
Length of head 18
Width of head 10
Variation.—The three specimens listed from the Bureau of
Science collection are grayish lavender in color. No. 1486 shows
much less spotting on the dorsal and the ventral surfaces than
does the specimen described. The known ventral range is from
177 to 186; the subcaudal, from 111 to 135. Boulenger lists a
specimen 750 millimeters long,
Remarks.—This species is known from Luzon, Mindoro, and
Sibuyan. I failed to find it in Mindanao. A single specimen
was observed in Bataan near the foot of Mount Mariveles, but
CHRYSOPELEA 215
it escaped without being captured. Three specimens are listed
in Boulenger’s Catalogue; one is from northern Luzon, and the
other two are specimens collected by H. Cuming, labeled “Philip-
pines.”
The species is arboreal and feeds on small lizards for the
most part. The grooved fangs suggest the presence of poison
glands. The poison is incapable of serious injury to larger
animals or man,
TABLE 44.—Measurements and scale counts of Dryophiops philippina
Boulenger.
| — a er apr ismemalt: - |
, | : Ven-
| No. Locality. | Collector. | Sex. |Length.| Tail. trals.
| oo
} | mm. mm.
| 132 | Lamao, Bataan..| H. C. MeNamara........--.---------- | od 558| 185) 186
| 207 | Manila -.-_--.--- Mrs. Graham -----..------------------ h 32 710 230| 181
| 1486 | Mindoro___---_-. | Marine Biological Expedition ________ co 537 180 180
| 1487 |.-.-- dO 2i2<-<cs2ce lense MUO} aoe soe ae seek wane ke | ¢ 627} 9160] 179
| 695 | Sibuyan _________ MW eb @r ee ene at en Ve en®) 590 | 180 185
et a a
| | Sub- Preocu-| Post | Upper Labials Tempo-
- \ po-| Scale -
No. | ps Anals | lars. oculars.| labials. ae | rals. rows. Collection.
{ ‘ \ ¥
aca | oeear it ie (ooo = a | an. ~~ Se a ee
132 | 135 2 | 1 2 9] 4,5,6 | 2+2+2 15 | E. H. Taylor.
207 123 2 | 1 2 9) 4,5,6 | 2+2+2 15 | Bureau of Science.
1486 | 184 2 1 2 9] 45,6 | 24242 15 Do.
1487 (a) 2 1 2 | 9] 4,5,6 | 2+2+2 15 Do.
695 | 111 2 1 2 | 9| 4,5,6 | 24+242 15 | E. H. Taylor.
4 Mutilated.
Genus CHRYSOPELEA Boie
Chrysopelea Boir, Isis (1827) 520; WaAGLER, Syst. Amph. (1830)
188; BoULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 195.
“Maxillary teeth 20 to 22, subequal, the last three a little
longer and grooved; anterior mandibular teeth longest. Head
distinct from neck; eye rather large, with round pupil. Body
elongate, compressed; scales smooth or feebly keeled, oblique,
with apical pits, in 17 rows; ventrals with suture-like lateral
keel and a notch on each side corresponding to the keel. Tail
long; subcaudals in two rows, keeled and notched like the ven-
trals.” (Boulenger.)
Only a single species, Chrysopelea ornata (Shaw), enters the
Philippines. It is a widely distributed form and varies much
in coloration. The loreal is a variable element.
216 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
CHRYSOPELEA ORNATA (Shaw)
PLATE 11, FIGS. 6 TO 8
Coluber ornatus SHAW, Zool. 3 (1802) 477.
Tyria ornata FITZINGER, Neue Class. Rept. (1837) 60.
Chrysopelea ornata Bots, Isis (1827) 546; DUMERIL and BiBRON, Erp.
Gén. 7 (1854) 1042; Jan, Icon. Gén. (1869) 38, pl. 1, fig. 1; Borrr-
GER, Ber. Offenb. Ver. Nat. (1888) 84; BOULENGER, Faun: Brit.
India, Rept. (1890) 371; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 196.
Crysopelea ornata TAYLOR, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 12 (1917) 366; § D
13 (1918) 261, typ. err.
Description of species —(From No, 428, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao, 1912, by E. H.
Taylor.) Snout distinctly flattened; rostral but little broader
than deep, broadly visible from above, its broadest suture formed
with nasals; internasals more than half as large as prefrontals
and nearly as long; prefrontals forming subequal sutures with
frontal, preocular, and internasal; frontal broadest at its ex-
treme anterior portion, longer than wide, but little wider than
supraocular and about as long, equal to its distance from end of
snout; parietals very broad, nearly as broad as long, longer
than frontal, touching only superior postocular; 2 nasals, sub-
equal in size; nostril rather large; loreal about twice as long
as high; preocular large, visible from above, touching frontal;
supraoculars very broad; 2 postoculars, superior largest; tem-
porals 2 + 2 + 2; 9 upper labials, fourth, fifth, and sixth enter-
ing eye; 11 lower labials, first 5 touching first chin shields
which are shorter and broader than posterior; mental trian-
gular; scales smooth, with apical pits, in 17 rows, no evidence
of keels present; ventrals 214, each with a strong keel and
notch, the outer parts rounding and turned up on side, the’last
ventral divided; subcaudals 119, keeled and notched (extreme
tip of tail injured). Head distinct from neck; eye large, pupil
round.
Measurements of Chrysopelea ornata (Shaw).
mm.
Total length 962
Snout to vent 707
Tail 255
Length of head 25
Width of head 13
Color in life—Black above with a large yellowish green spot
on each scale; spots larger on sides; red spots on middle line
of back arranged like a four-petaled flower; a yellow band crosses
behind parietals, and another in front of parietals; a third line
crosses head in front of frontal; various black and yellow
CHRYSOPELEA P17
irregular lines crossing head; temporals each with a greenish
yellow spot; upper labials yellow, their upper edges black; chin
and throat immaculate greenish yellow.
Variation.—The specimens studied have a ventral range of
from 208 to 218, and a subcaudal range from 128 to 142. The
preocular frequently fails to touch the frontal. There are seven
specimens in my collection from central eastern Mindoro, five
of which have the loreal scale wanting, and the head abnormally
flat. The specimens examined from northern Mindoro do not
exhibit these characters. Two specimens from Balahbac also
have the loreal wanting, but they differ greatly in color and
markings from Mindoro specimens. Boulenger mentions that
the loreal is sometimes fused with the prefrontal.
TABLE 45.—Measurements and scale counts of Chrysopelea ornata (Shaw).
| |
| No. Sex. Locality. | Collector. oe ieee! foe |
| || ; = | [SS |
| mm mm. |
402; o& Camiguin__ ae R. C. McGregor ___ 975 284 209 |
234| ¢ | Polillo-.. C.Canonizado.....| 760| 242] 208 |
ME a CEE, ORR ae oner cOeS nese aE Budge saath on 1055 | 315 | 217 |
247 8 805 237 214
249) @ 910 280 | 208
| 368 | °) 765 230 213
| 428) ¢ 962 | 2255 | 214
595| 900 248 | 218
| ese] 9 970 | 2140] 208 |
—=—=- —— ee
| No. pe Upper | Lower | ocular | Post- Loreal. Tem- Collection.
labials. | labials. |touches/oculars. porals. |
| dals. | rontal.
pesca | emren - a eee eer ae ne
| 402 134 9} 10; Yes 3 | Present _._-- 2+2+2 | Bureau of Science.
| 934 138 9 | 9| Yes yaaa dG cam 24242 Do
241 142 9 10| No Dhleces a do ...-..| 2+2+2 Do
247 | 134 9 | 10| No pataege do _.....) 2+2+2 Do
249) 130 9 10| Yes ve eens 0, acess 24242 Do.
368} 138 10 11) Yes Oy iro doer: | 24242| E. H. Taylor.
| 428 (a) 9 | 11| Yes Dalene do -----| 24242 Do.
| 595 128 9 11} Yes DAleesa Gomer | 24+2+2 Do.
1992 (a) 9 8} No 2 |_..--do “| 1+2+2 | Bureau of Science. |
| =
4 Tail mutilated.
The specimens vary considerably in color, but this is largely
due to age. The young are dark brown to blackish traversed
by very numerous greenish or reddish yellow bars; specimens
somewhat older have greenish spots on the black scales between
the light bars; medium-sized specimens usually exhibit the series
of red spots on the black line as in the described specimen.
218 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Some older specimens become almost a uniform brown, with a
few black marks dorsally. Specimens preserved in formalin
become a deep blue-black in color. I believe that large series
from various islands will probably show constant variations
of sorts.
Remarks.—This species is widely distributed in the Philip-
pines. It is known from Luzon (several localities), Polillo, Ca-
miguin, Mindoro, Banton, Bantayan, Mindanao, Samar, Pala-
wan, and Bubuan.
It is widely distributed throughout the Malay Peninsula and
Archipelago. The species is probably slightly poisonous, but is
not dangerous to man.
Genus DRYOPHIS Dalman
Dryinus, part., MERREM, Tent. Syst. Amph. (1820) 136; DUMERIL and
BiBRoN, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 808.
Dryophis DALMAN, Oefvers. of Zool. Arb., Stockholm (1822); Fuir-
ZINGER, Neue Class. Rept. (1826) 29; BOoULENGER, Fauna Brit.
India, Rept. (1890) 367; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 177.
Tragops GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 305.
Passerita GRAY, Ann. Phil. 10 (1825) 208; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes
(1858) 160.
Psammophis, part., DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 887.
Tropidococcyx GUNTHER, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. III 6 (1860) 428.
“Maxillary teeth 12 to 15, one or two in the middle much
enlarged, fang-like, and followed by an interspace, after which
the teeth are very small; one or two posterior grooved fangs,
situated below the posterior border of the eye; mandibular teeth
increasing in length to the third or fourth, which is very large,
fang-like; the posterior small. Head elongate, distinct from
neck, with strong canthus rostralis and concave lores; eye rather
large, with horizontal pupil; nostril in the posterior part of a
single nasal; frontal narrow, more or less bell-shaped. Body
much elongate and compressed; scales smooth, without apical
pits, in 15 rows, disposed obliquely, vertebral row slightly en-
larged; ventrals rounded. Tail long; subeaudals in two rows.”
(Boulenger.)
Key to the Philippine species of Dryophis Dalman.
a’. Anal divided; 1 preocular; 3 labials entering eye; 3 small loreals;
internasal in contact with labial... D. prasinus Boie (p. 219).
a’, Anal single; 2 preoculars; internasals not in contact with labial; 2
labials enter eye.
b'. Loreals small; color green, blue-green, or reddish.
D. preocularis sp. nov. (p. 222).
b’, A large loreal below 2 small ones; color gray.
D. griseus sp. nov. (p. 221).
DRYOPHIS 219
DRYOPHIS PRASINUS Boie
Dryinus nasutus BELL, Zool. Journ. 2 (1825) 327.
Dryophis prasinus Bolg, Isis (1827) 545; SCHLEGEL, Abbild. (1837)
pl. 8, figs. 1-6; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 159; JAN, Icon.
Gén. (1869) 33, pl. 5, fig. 1; BoULENGmR, Fauna Brit. India, Rept.
(1890) 369; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 181; PETERS, Mon.
Berl. Ak. (1861) 688; FISCHER, Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg (1885)
80.
Dryinus prasinus, part., CANTOR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 81.
Oxybelis fulgidus, part., DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854)
817.
Tragops prasinus DUMERIL and BiBRoN, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 824;
GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 3803; Casto DE ELmRA, Cat.
Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 4384 (and var.).
Tragops xanthozonius DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 824;
CASTO DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 435.
Description of species —(From No. 257, Bureau of Science
collection; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, December 22, 1907, by
C. M. Weber.) Head narrow, elongate; snout projecting; ros-
tral small, barely visible above; anterior edge of nasals also
visible above; internasals much longer than wide, in contact
(on one side only) with second labial; prefrontal about twice
as long as wide, posterior edges rounding, overlapping frontal;
frontal elongate, much narrowed posteriorly, shorter than its
distance to end of nose; supraoculars very large, nearly as wide
as long, wider than frontal; parietals long, somewhat longer
than frontal; nasal three times as long as wide; 3 and 4 very
small loreals; 1 large, irregular preocular; 2 postoculars, upper
larger ; temporals 2 + 3 -+ 3, third upper largest; 9 upper labials,
fourth, fifth, and sixth entering eye, seventh largest, ninth much
elongate; mental small, as wide as rostral; 8 and 9 lower labials,
first 4 in contact with first pair of chin shields which are very
much shorter than second pair; latter bordered by 2 labials;
eye large, pupil horizontal; a deep elongate depression from
eye to nostril; scales in 15 rows, the median somewhat enlarged
toward posterior part of body; scales on back above anal region
keeled; ventrals, 211, each with indistinct keels laterally; sub-
caudals, 177; anal divided.
Measurements of Dryophis prasinus Boie.
mm,
Total length 1,400
Snout to vent 888
Tail 512
Length of head 37
Width of head 14
@
220 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Color in alcohol—Above greenish lavender, more greenish
anteriorly; skin between scales lavender with the skin whitish
between alternating transverse rows; belly grayish or greenish,
with two distinct cream stripes running entire length of body
on outer side of ventrals.
Remarks.—This is the typical Dryophis prasinus and agrees
well with Boulenger’s description of the species in having 1
preocular, 3 labials entering eye, and the divided anal; the varia-
tion in ventral counts as shown in the table is 209 to 222; of
subeaudals 174 to 202, all of which counts fall well within Bou-
lenger’s limits.
TABLE 46.—Measurements and scale counts of Dryophis prasinus Boie.
ae
i | a a|4| ay
| No. | Sex Locality. Collector. = | F g | 8 | a 3
| te heed ee ee ee
sue ee ne Vac Eael > | n | < 4
| 2 | | | mam, /mm. | | |
253 | foi Palawan_____________---_-- | C. M. Weber ----- 1,160 | 450 211 | 192 2 3
| 255] ¢ : a eee | a18| 202! 2) 9
| o56| (1440! s1o| 219/ 19) 2) 3
| 257] ¢ | 1,400} 512} 211 | v7! 2) 34 |
| 258] o foe) eee | 223.| a9) 2] 8
263 | 1,410) 500} 222] 177| 2] 3
267 | 9 ol Sea | a9} i) 2 8
268 | é os | 340 209! 192) 2. 3
| 22) 3 fT ON CG EE Teariy ia oad eae aol eee peso leone | 9! 3
[222] eae dO: occ ceseesessensccvaa| We Schultze... 70 | 300) 215/ 191) 2) 4
| 275 | fol 21 GIs Webern ante. Lone Soe saece ai eaeenle has oy 2 3
| 245 Orrin dome eye emer j-----do | 1,316 | 485 | 213} 174; 2) 2
Sie aes i Si acca
ice | eee ae eae
Freee ace een a ae ee ,
3 3 | 5 5 | 4 a | 3 | e ai | Collection.
PA Re eg | eee ae
Ba Ih Poe seed dla St Ve He) aoe
| Sasa meas paper (as lh aa | aa
| 253 =| 2°) 9 | 9 4,5,6 | 24+343 15 | Yes Bureau of Science.
| 255 1 2| 9) 9| Pea uel 15 | Yes | Do.
| 28] 3] 2] 910] 9 ee Netets|) 15] Yes| Do
2 | Ey |B) s-9| 45,6) 21243] i5/Yes| Do.
| 258 1| 2 ee 4,5,6 | 2438483) 15 | Yes | Do.
| 23! 1 21 9) 9 45,6 | 24243 | 1 | Yes Do
267; 1 2 | 9 | 9 | 4,5,6) 24343) 15) Yes Do
| 268 1 2 9 9! 4.5,6l2+344] 15] Yes | Do
yee 1| 2 | 9; 9! a56|24348| 15) Yes Do
| 27: Tel ga) 9) 45,6} 24343] 15) Yes | Do
1 2) 9 9/ 4,56) 24343) 15] Yes Do
| ony 2 8; 9] 4,5,6,2+2+4) 15| Yes Do
DRYOPHIS 221
This species in the Philippines is probably confined to Pala-
wan and the near-by islands; outside the Philippines it is known
in southern Asia and the Malay Archipelago.
DRYOPHIS GRISEUS sp. nov.
Type.—No. 271, Bureau of Science collection; collected on
Camiguin Island, Cagayan Islands, in 1907, by R. C. McGregor.
Description of type—(Adult male.) Head long, slender,
snout projecting; rostral visible above, the projecting part some-
what striate; internasals long, narrow, not touching labials;
prefrontals nearly twice as long as wide; frontal elongate,
shorter than its distance to end of snout; parietals a little longer
than broad; nasal elongate, four times as long as wide; 2 mod-
erate-sized loreals above a very large loreal; 2 large preoculars,
upper touching frontal; 2 postoculars; an anterior and a poste-
rior subocular; temporals 2 + 3 + 3, third upper largest; 8 and
9 upper labials, third and fourth upper labials broken, normally,
leaving the lower postocular and a large square loreal scale
below the 2 upper loreals; fifth labial enters eye; 9 and 8 lower
labials, fourth and fifth touching anterior pair of chin shields,
which are smaller than second pair; ventrals, 208; subcaudals,
160 (tip of tail missing; estimated 15 subcaudals also missing) ;
anal single, body compressed with only very indistinct lateral
keels on ventrals.
Color in alcohol—Above uniform gray, growing lighter gray
on sides; skin on neck and body between scales black and white,
the black extending on scales on anterior part of body; tail above
gray, at base mottled with darker, growing brownish toward
end; belly gray-white with a cream-white stripe along sides
of belly; tail dark mottled below.
Measurements of Dryophis griseus sp. nov.
mm.
Total length 1,498
Snout to vent 951
Tail 547
Length of head 36
Width of head 16
Variation.—Two other specimens are in my collection; one
from Limay, Bataan, the other from Montalban, near Manila.
The Limay ‘specimen agrees with the type in practically all de-
tails save that the fourth labial enters the eye, and the tail is
not so dark as in the type.
Aan SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Remarks.—This species may be identical with Cope’s variety
laeta. Unfortunately his description is not at hand. If the
species are identical, then Cope’s name will be used as a specific,
and not as a varietal name.
Known from Luzon and Camiguin Island. There is a speci-
men of this species in the collection of the Ateneo de Manila.
This species differs from Dryophis prasinus in having an un-
divided anal, and in having 2 preoculars instead of 1.
From Dryophis preocularis it differs in the presence of a large
loreal in front of the lower preocular. From both it differs in
the distinctive coloration. It is probably most closely related to
D. fasciolatus but differs in the number of loreals and pre-
oculars.
TABLE 47.—Measurements and scale counts of Dryophis griseus sp. nov.
ies Sex. Locality. | Collector. Length.| Tail. nee
|Posted! oaryreeed | Owes pean ——| ar ee mee ees r|
| | | mm, mm.
|
| 254| of | Limay, Bataan..........-..---- H. M. Curran.......---- 985} 851) 219
| 271 fou Camiguinie stcc cc ems eee R. C. McGregor seaeaeech) Lya98 | 547-208
| R668) o | Montalban.__.--.0...2.22222-2. | W. Schultze._.._...._.. | (a) 545 (8)
| r =, = sao,
| ; ° ) n . .
| 4 é | § | tapi | 2 | g |
z ie ele ese ee ee ee
nes $ 4 $ Saleen ee | 8 a | @ | Collection.
\ Q al ih ces ® 2 | &@/ & | £ Seas ch
| 3 a 3 a ° Sa aoe Co) ee)
| a | < ele|al = | |
i en a aie nh =
feeolie axle oat | :
| 254] 180 Lian ly 2) °2 8, 9/2+8+738) 45) Bureau of Science.
|
| 211 |a1eo} iif 2 | 5 Bilis lp cave. fpacencee |
| ae ll | *;} 89] 9-8) 2+843) 415 Do.
(2 | |
R663 | 176 1h 5 \ 3 | 2) 9 | 10-9) 2+84+3 45 | B. H. Taylor. |
| | | |
’ Mutilated.
DRYOPHIS PREOCULARIS sp. nov.
PLATE 28
Type.—No. 408, E. H. Taylor collection; collected at Buna-
wan, Agusan, Mindanao, March 12, 1913, by E. H. Taylor.
Description of species.—(Adult female.) Rostral broader
than high, the portion seen above a mere line; internasals
elongate, nearly twice as long as wide, their outer edge bent
sharply down at canthus rostralis; prefrontals somewhat wider
than internasals, twice as long as wide, overlapping frontal;
DRYOPHIS 923
frontal at least one and a half times as long as wide; very
narrow behind; in its widest part it does not equal width of
supraoculars; parietals large, elongate; supraoculars large and
projecting, so that eye is hardly visible from above; canthus
rostralis very sharp; 2 large
preoculars, the upper separating
supraoculars from prefrontals ; 2
loreals, the posterior largest;
nostril in a very elongate, very
narrow nasal; 2 small post-
oculars; temporals 2 + 3; parie-
tals bordered by 3 temporals;
9 upper labials in the following
order of size: sixth, fifth, eighth,
second, first, third, seventh,
fourth, ninth; fourth, fifth, and fic. 19. Dryophis preoeularis sp. nov.;
sixth enter eye; mental very drawing of a Polillo specimen ; a, head,
i cs dorsal view; b, head, lateral view.
small, triangular; 7 lower labials
in the following order of size: fifth, fourth, sixth, seventh, first,
third, second; 4 labials touch first pair of chin shields; scales
smooth, in 15 rows; ventrals, 227, keeled laterally; subcaudals,
110; anal undivided; eye large, equal to half its distance from
snout; latter acuminate, projecting.
Color in life-—Bluish green tending toward yellowish green on
sides, with no markings of any sort; head greenish; belly green-
ish with a narrow cream line running full length of body and
tail on outer part of ventrals and anals.
Remarks.—This species is widely distributed, from Mindanao
to Luzon. In the character of the anal shield and in the arrange-
ment of the preoculars it is constant. In Negros and Panay
there occurs what appears to be a variety of the species. It
is red and doubtless represents what has been regarded by other
authors as Dryophis prasinus xanthozonus. However, Dryophis
xanthozona is a distinct species and is probably confined to
southeastern Asia and Java. I regard the red form here as
merely a color variety of Dryophis preocularis. A red form also
occurs in Dryophis prasinus.
The species here described is known from Mindanao (green
form) ; Negros (green and red forms), Panay (red form), Po-
lillo (green form), and Luzon (green form). Additional ma-
terial from Negros and Panay may warrant the separation of
the red form as a subspecies.
224 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
TABLE 48.—Measurements and scale counts of Dryophis preocularis sp. nov,
| | | , Ven- Sub-
No Sex. | Locality. | Collector. Length.| Tail. rales. caus Anals.
| femaes : | | —— sien 2 a |
| | | mm. mm. |
269; of 1,020 382 221 199 1 |
274 g 1,550 532 213 177 i
| 342| 1,145 460 216 192 1
343g 1,170 | 450 216 199 1 |
| 344) of 40 >) ete et |
| 346! 9 950} 345 212 175 tet
| saz] oo 840 | (a) 221 (a) 1
| saa] 985 | 370) 118 | 201 1 |
| 350 | fe) 1, 460 | 500-219) 2169 | 1 |
| 31, 1,080 400 214) 1188/1 |
| ae) : woofs --| 26/81] 1 |
== , as aaa Ga a
Lo- |Preocu-) Post- Upper | Lower Labials Tempo-| Scale "
No reals lars. loculars.| labials. | labials.| sae rals. rows. Collection.
| 269 2 2 2 8-10 9 5-6 | 2+3+-3 15 | Bureau of Science. |
274 a 2 2 7 9 5 | 2+3-+3 15 Do.
aa2| 23] 2 2 oi pees 45/24+3+3) 15 Do.
343 3 2 2 8 9 4-5 | 24243 15 Do. |
344 2 2 2 8 9) 4-5 | 24343 15 Do.
346 3 2 2 8 9, 45/24+8+3/ 165 Do. |
347 2 2 | 2 8-9 9 4-5 | 24+3+3 15 Do. |
| 349 3 2 2 8 9 4-5 | 24343 15 Do. |
350 2 it 2) 8&9 9} 4-5-6 | 2+3+3 15 Do. |
| 351 2 2 2} 89 8 4-5 | 24343 15 | Do.
| 352 3 2 2 8 9 4-5 2+8+3| 15 Do.
4 Tip of tail missing.
DEADLY POISONOUS SNAKES
ELAPIDA®
An erect, grooved or perforated fang on the anterior portion
of the anterior maxillary bone, or several anterior maxillary
teeth grooved or perforated; in either case connecting with a
poison gland; otherwise, as the Natricide.
The family corresponds to Boulenger’s group C, of the family
Colubride, which he calls Proteroglypha.
Deadly poisonous.
The family Elapida
is composed of two subfamilies; the first group consists of aqua-
tic or semiaquatic snakes; the second, of land snakes.
Key to the subfamilics of the Elapidx.
Hydrine (p. 225).
Elapine (p. 254).
AIPYSURUS 995
HYDRIN 4:
Hydrophiine BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 264; WALL,
Mem. As. Soc. Bengal 2 (1907-10) 169.
Nostrils dorsal or lateral, usually valvular; tail strongly com-
pressed, oarlike; hypapophyses not developed throughout the
vertebral column. Body compressed, the ventrals very small in
marine types, or large in semiaquatic forms. Rostral shield.
with two notches in oral border; only the cleft part of tongue
capable of being protruded. Anterior maxillary teeth folded into
a tube or grooved; frequently posterior teeth also grooved.
Deadly poisonous.
Eleven genera of this subfamily are recognized; with the ex-
ception of Laticauda, Aipysurus, and Emydocephalus, all are
entirely aquatic. The three mentioned are found frequently at
some distance from the water, and these genera are equipped
with wide ventral scales, which enable them to perform land loco-
motion,
Key to the Philippine genera of the Hydrine.
a’. Ventral scales large, transversely widened.
b’. Nostrils on upper surface of snout; nasals in contact.
Aipysurus Lacépéde (p. 225).
b*. Nostrils lateral; nasals separated by internasals.
Laticauda Laurenti (p. 227).
a’. Ventral scales small or indistinguishable from body scales; nostrils
superior.
6’. All maxillary teeth grooved (sometimes faintly); 4 to 10 small teeth
LOO Ww sham esses is Reese rows et nee Disteira Lacépéde (p. 2386).
b?, Only 2 to 5 faintly grooved teeth follow the large fangs.
Lapemis Gray (p. 249).
b’. Poison fangs short, followed after an interspace by 7 or 8 solid
GOO tH setecn nieve caste sea de segue eee oe Pelamydrus Stejneger (p. 252).
It is highly probable that species of other genera occur in the
Islands, and that specimens will be taken along the coasts.
Genus AIPYSURUS Lacépéde
Aipysurus LACKPEDE, Ann. Mus. 4 (1804) 197; DumERiL and BIBRON
Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1323; FiscHER, Abh. Natur. Hamburg 3 (1856)
31; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 108; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India
(1864) 357; BouLENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 303;
WALL, Mem. As. Soc. Bengal 2 (1907-10) 189.
Stephanophydra TscHupl, Arch. Nat. (1837) 331; Gray, Cat. Snakes
(1849) 59.
Hydrophis, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 488.
Hypotropis Gray, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 18 (1846) 284.
Tomogaster, part., Scumipt, Abh. Natur. Hamburg 2 (1852) 75.
Emydocephalus KREFFT, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1869) 321.
Pelagophis PETERS and Dorra, Ann. Mus. Genova 13 (1878) 413.
161465——15
2°6 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
“Maxillary a little longer than the ectopterygoid, extending
forwards beyond the palatine; poison-fangs moderate, followed,
after a short interspace, by 8 to 10 grooved teeth; anterior
mandibular teeth feebly grooved. Snout short; nostrils su-
perior ; head-shields large or broken up into scales; nasals in con-
tact with each other. Body moderate; scales imbricate; ven-
trals large, keeled in the middle.” (Boulenger.)
The genus is distributed in the Tropics, throughout the Malay
Archipelago and the western Pacific Ocean. Boulenger recog-
nizes four species, one of ,which, Aipysurus annulatus Krefft,
Wall has placed in the genus Emydocephalus. Only one species
has been recorded from the Philippines.
AIPYSURUS EYDOUXII (Gray)
Tomogaster eydouxit GRAY, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 59.
Thalassophis anguillefornis SCHMIDT, Abh. Natur. Hamburg 2 (1852)
76, pl. 1.
Thalassophis muraenaeformis SCHMIDT, Abh. Natur. Hamburg 2 (1852)
OTs
Aipysurus levis (non Lacépéde) GUICHENOT, Voy. Péle Sud. Zool.
3, Rept. (1853) 21, pl. 6; DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854)
1326, pl. 77b, fig. 4; FiscHer, Abh. Natur. Hamburg. 3 (1856)
382; JAN, Icon. Gén. (1872) 40, pl. 2, fig. 1.
Atpysurus margaritophorus BLEEKER, Nat. Tijds. Nederl. Ind. 16
(1858) 49.
Aipysurus anguilleformis GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 357;
BoeTTGER, Zool. Anz. (1892) 420.
Aipysurus eydouxti BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 304;
WALL, Mem. As. Soc. Bengal 2 (1907-10) 189, figs. 5, A, B, C
(after Jan).
Description of species—(From Boulenger.) ‘Eye a little
longer than its distance from the mouth. Rostral a little broader
than deep; upper head-shields regular; frontal large, once and
two thirds to twice as long as
broad, longer than its distance
from the end of the snout, as
long as or a little longer than
the parietals; nasal in contact
with or narrowly separated
from the preocular; one pre-
ee ae ee ne eee eee ee and two postoculars; temporals
Jan, copied from Wall; a, head, dorsal 1 -+- 2 - or 2 + 2: six upper la-
ak ee Bee Dials. fourth entering the eye:
anterior chin-shields shorter
than the posterior, which are separated by an azygous shield.
Scales smooth, in 17 rows. Ventrals, 140-142.
LATICAUDA 997
Color.—‘‘Dark brown above, with cross-bands of yellow,
black-edged scales, often broken up on the vertebral line; these
bands widening towards the belly, which is yellow, with or
without dark brown spots.”
Measurements of Aipysurus eydouxti (Gray).
mm.
Total length 490
Snout to vent 420
Tail 70
Variation—Wall adds the following characters: Rostral
touches 4 shields, the portion visible above about half the inter-
nasal suture. Prefrontals not in contact with supralabials,
usually undivided, but sometimes divided longitudinally on one
or both sides into two parts; the sutures of frontal subequal,
one-third or one-fourth longer than supraoculars, longer than
parietals; parietals undivided or divided; nasals touch 2 supra-
labials; fourth lower labial largest; 2 pairs of chin shields, the
second pair separated by a single scale; ventrals from 138 to
142, three or more times the width of outer scale row.
Remarks.—This species is rare in the Philippines. I have
seen no specimen. Both Boulenger and Wall give the Philip-
pines as part of its range, and the species is included in the
present work on their authority.
Genus LATICAUDA Laurenti
Laticauda LAURENTI, Syn. Rept. (1768) 109; STEINEGER, Bull. U. 8S.
Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 402.
Hydrus, part., SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 1 (1799) 233.
Platurus LATREILLE, Hist. Nat. Rept. 4 (1802) 183; Daupin, Rept.
7 (1803) 223; WaAcLER, Syst. Amph. (1830) 166; DumERIL and
BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1318; FiscHEer, Abh. Natur. Hamburg
3 (1856) 27; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 108; GUNTHER, Rept.
Brit. India (1864) 355; BorTrcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886)
118; BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 394; Cat. Snakes
Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 306; Casto DE ELEraA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1
(1895) 442.
Hydrophis, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 488.
“Maxillary much shorter than the ectopterygoid, extending
forwards beyond the palatine, with two large poison-fangs;
one or two small solid teeth near the posterior extremity of the
maxillary. Head-shields large; nostrils lateral, the nasals
separated by internasals; preeocular present; no loreal. Body
much elongate; scales smooth and imbricate; ventrals and sub-
caudals large.” (Boulenger.)
DIS SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Stejneger * recognizes provisionally five species of the genus,
while Wall + recognizes but three. Three species are found in
the Philippines.
Key to the Philippine species of Laticauda Lawrentt.
a'. Rostral not divided horizontally; belly without median keel.
b'. Two prefrontals; scales in 19 rows.. L. laticaudata (Linneus) (p. 228).
b?. Three prefrontals; scales in 21 to 25 rows.
L. colubrina (Schneider) (p. 231).
a:. Rostral divided horizontally; belly with median keel on posterior half.
L. semifasciata (Reinwardt) (p. 234).
I disagree with Barbour’s ¢ opinion that the first two should
be regarded as subspecies of a single species. Besides the al-
most constant variation of certain scale elements, the fact should
not be overlooked that L. colubrina apparently grows to nearly
double the size of L. laticaudata.
LATICAUDA LATICAUDATA (Linnzeus)
Coluber laticaudatus LinNajus, Mus. Ad. Frid. (1754) 31, pl. i6,
fig. 1; Syst. Nat. ed. 10 1 (1758) 222; ed. 12 1 (1766) 383; AN-
DERSON, Bihang Svensk. Vet. Akad. Handl. 1V 24 (1899) 18.
Laticauda scutata LAURENTI, Syn. Rept. (1768) 109.
Platurus fasciatus LATREILLE, Hist. Nat. Rept. 4 (1502) 185; FISCHER,
Abh. Natur. Ver. Hamburg 3 (1856) 28; P&TERS, Mon. Berl. Ak.
(1861) 691; (1872) 860; HaLLOWELL, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phila-
delphia (1860) 493; BoULENGER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1887)
149.
Hydrophis colubrinus, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1857) 414.
Platurus laticaudatus GIRARD, Herp. U. S. Expl. Exp. (1858) 180;
Peters, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1877) 417; Bortrcer, Ber. Senck. Nat.
Ges. (1886) 118; BoULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890)
395, text fig; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 307; CasTo DE ELERA,
Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 442; WALL, Proc. Zool. Soc. London
(1908) 96 and 101; Mem. As. Soc. Bengal 2 (1907-10) 185.
Platurus lawrenti RAFINESQUE, Ain. Month. Mag. 1 (1817) 482.
Coluber platicaudatus OKEN, Allgem. Naturg. 8 (1836) 566.
Platurus laticaudatus var. A., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858)
272.
Platurus fischeri JAN, Rev. Mag. Zool. (1859) 149; Icon. Ophid. 40
(1872) pl. 1, fig. 2; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 356,
pl. 25, fig A; ANDERSON, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1871) 189;
FayrErR, Thanatoph. Ind. (1874) pl. 19.
Platurus affinis ANDERSON, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1871) 190.
* Loc. cit.
+ Wall, Mem. As. Soc. Bengal 2 (1907-10) 107, states that the sup-
posedly solid teeth really have very small grooves.
+ Barbour, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard Coll. 44 (1912) 181.
LATICAUDA 999
Laticauda laticaudata STEJNEGER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907)
402; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 265.
Laticauda laticaudata laticaudata BARBOUR, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool.
Harvard Coll. 44 (1912) 1381.
Description of species.—(From No. 1834, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion, collected on Mindanao coast, October, 1913, by E. H. Tay-
lor.) Head moderate, not or scarcely distinct from neck; ros-
tral much higher than wide, scarcely visible above, forming its
broadest suture with first labial; internasals triangular, narrowly
in contact with rostral, forming their longest suture with nasal;
Tan
a
Fic. 21. Laticauda laticaudata (Linneus) ; after Wall; a, head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral
view ; ¢, chin.
prefrontals broader than deep, narrowly in contact laterally
with third labial, separating nasal and prefrontal, the suture
between prefrontals shorter than that between internasals; fron-
tal longer than wide, four-sided, much longer than its distance
from end of snout, as long as parietals; nasal narrow, elongate,
nostril pierced nearer its posterior end, in contact with 3 la-
bials; 1 preocular, higher than wide; 2 postoculars, the lower
lying somewhat under posterior part of eye; 1 anterior tem-.
poral; temporal formula, 1 + 2 + 3; mental very small, not or
very narrowly separated from second pair of labials, not touching
chin shields; lower labials nearly hidden, for the most part lying
horizontal on jaws, the 2 anterior touching first chin shields,
which are a little smaller than posterior; tail strongly com-
pressed, widened at tip.
Color in life-—Above blue with 66 black bars about body, of
which 7 are confined to tail; bands are 3 scales wide on back,
Separated by interspaces of equal width but narrow on belly,
a broad band on head, widest medially, not reaching anterior
part of frontal; head band and 2 nuchal bands interrupted
ventrally, but connected by a broad ventrolateral band on side
of head and neck; no light labial band; top of snout yellow with
230 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
superciliary yellow line; a yellow band on chin and throat me-
dially; belly yellow, the color reaching up halfway on sides;
eye blue, small; pupil round.
Measurements of Laticauda laticaudata (Linnzus).
mm,
Total length 581
Snout to vent 515
Tail 66
Length of head 15
Width of head 8.5
Depth of tail, greatest 11
Variation.—In the three specimens examined the ventral
range is 228 to 242; the subcaudal, 42 to 45; the number of
bands varies between 53 and 66. The variation of scale counts
in twelve specimens from various localities listed by Boulenger
is as follows: Ventrals, 210 to 240 (average, 227) ; subcaudals,
25 to 45; bands, 29 to 48.
In this species, as in Laticawda colubrina, the subcaudals
average about 10 more in males than in females. Philippine
specimens have a higher average of ventrals, and a much higher
average number of bands.
Remarks.—This species apparently does not attain as large
a size as Laticauda colubrina. Specimens are usually found
about rocky seacoasts. They feed largely on small eels.
TABLE 49.—Measurements and scale counts of Laticauda laticaudata
(Linneus).
ee /
| he a |
| | ieee rte es eee er
eninge a u ae a
No. | Locality. | Collector. 2B 2 ga| |
o o 5U Ss
| na >la | <4
| | Pairs.
| 18384 |) Mindanao -------------- SUR Sa aly lores sare, em oe hake eee ye 234 43 2
ees COC eae Ups a ek Pee aire ene Wiereet fy nee heemhe hears eed Mero : ye | 228 42) 2
| 1286 | Mindoro... --------------- | Marine Biological Expedition ........| ye | 242 45| 2
| : 5
al . a
¢)4| 3 2
No. antes! a ag| ula Collection.
So eSah oe 3 | 2 | & 3
eres 5 Bi ooel oes
shields) & |] & | A wai ale
; —|—|— js Bi Sel ak
| mm.) nem,
1834 eli) Soa 2/ 1! 2}/1+2+3] 66! 19] 581! 66 | E. H. Taylor.
1419 1 3.4 2; 1| 2/1+2+38! 56/ 19| 460} 57 Do.
1286 7 | 3,4 2 1 2l1+2+3/ 72 | Bureau of Science.
58) 19 | 593 |
In the Philippines specimens are known from Mindanao, Sulu,
Samar, and northern Mindoro. The species is widely distributed
LATICAUDA 931
outside the Philippines, being known from the Indian Ocean, the
coasts of the islands of the East Indian Archipelago, and western
and southern Pacific Ocean.
“LATICAUDA COLUBRINA (Schneider)
PLATE 29
Coluber laticaudatus, part., LINNZUS, Syst. Nat. ed. 10 1 (1776) 222;
ed. 12 1 (1776) 383.
Hydrus colubrinus SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 1 (1799) 238.
Platurus fasciatus, part., DAUDIN, Hist. Nat. Rept. 7 (1803) 226,
pl. 85, fig. 1; DUMERIL and BiBRoNn, Erp. Gen. 7 (1854) 1321.
Hydrophis colubrinus SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 514, pl. 18,
figs. 21 and 22; Cuvinr, Reg. Anim., Rept. Atlas, pl. 36.
Laticauda scutata (Laurenti) CANToR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 125.
Platurus colubrinus Girarp, U. S. Expl. Exp. Herp. (1858) 178;
PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1877) 418; FIscHER, Jahrb. wiss. Anst.
Hamburg (1888) 18; BoULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890)
895; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 308; WALL., Mem. As. Soc.
Bengal 2 (1907-10) 186.
Platurus scutatus GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 356.
Platurus laticaudatus, var. B., GUNTHER Cat. Col. Snakes (1858)
272.
Platurus fasciatus var. colubrina FISCHER, Abh. Nat. Ver. Hamburg
3 (1856) 30.
Platurus laticaudatus var. colubrina BorTTGER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges.
(1886) 118; Offenb. Ver. Naturk. 25 (1885) 155.
Laticauda colubrina STEJNEGER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 406.
Description of species.—(From No. 908, Bureau of Science
collection; collected on Dipolod Island, Sulu Archipelago, Sep-
tember, 1917, by E. H. Taylor.) Head large, somewhat distinct
from neck, rather flattened above; rostral higher than wide,
forming its broadest sutures with labials, its shortest with inter-
nasals, latter longer than wide, lying diagonally, in contact for
about half their length, pointed anteriorly; prefrontals some-
what larger than internasals, separated from each other, touch-
ing nasal and preocular laterally; an azygous shield, lying
between prefrontals and partially between internasals, forms a
suture with frontal; latter almost twice as long as wide, produced
to a long point behind; supraoculars about as wide as long;
parietals wider than long, disposed diagonally, touching supe-
rior preocular ; nasal single, elongate, nostril triangular, pierced
in posterior part; 1 preocular touching second labial, widely sep-
arated from frontal; 2 postoculars, lower largest; 1 anterior
temporal; temporal formula 1+ 2+ 3; 7 upper labials, third
and fourth entering orbit; mental very small, first pair of lower
labials barely in contact behind it, and followed by an azygous
939 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
postmental; lower labials small, usually not visible externally,
only first 2 touching anterior pair of chin shields, which are
smaller than second pair; 10 rows of scales between chin shields
and first widened ventral; eye small, much less than its distance
from nostril; scales in 23 to 25 rows around body, smooth, with-
out apical pits; ventrals, 234; subcaudals, 35; anal divided, pre-
ceded by a second divided scale; tail strongly compressed, end-
ing in a large scute.
Color in life-—Above, blue traversed by 42 black bands,
about 4 scales wide, on back, and covering only 1 or 2 ventrals
below, separated from each other by interspaces, 5 or 6 scales
wide; tail with 4 bands, the last much widened. Head with a
broad black spot; a broad black stripe on side; anterior part
yellowish, with a yellow streak above eye to some distance on
temporal region; a yellow stripe on lower part of upper labials
and at angle of mouth; a broad black stripe from end of chin
along each side of neck to third ventral, separated from its
fellow by a broad median yellow stripe.
Measurements of Laticauda colubrina (Schneider.)
mm.
Total length 1,390
Snout to vent 1,275
Tail 115
Width of head 29
Length of head 32
Depth of tail, greatest 31
Variation.—Males differ from females in having longer and
thicker tails, not so strongly compressed at base, rather more
triangular in cross section, and with an average of 9 more sub-
caudals; in medium-sized specimens, the ventrals have a double
row of keels, nearly the same ventral average, with notches
on anterior part of each scute. The range of ventral counts in
the Philippine specimens examined is from 229 to 248; of the
subcaudal from 34 to 47; the scale rows vary between 23 and
25, most of the specimens having 23 rows on anterior part of
body and 25 beyond the middle of the widest part; in all speci-
mens the ventral preceding anal is divided. The lower labials
are bent over edge of mouth and lie for the most part. hori-
zontally ; the mental is extremely small, the first pair of labials
not or but barely touching a small azygous postmental. This
scale is distinct in all save two specimens, in which it is fused
with first labial. The number of black bands around body and
tail varies between 43 and 59, the average being 49. In color
most of the specimens are dark to grayish blue above barred
LATICAUDA 933
with black or brown, the width of the black bars half to three-
fourths the width of the interspaces. Two Sulu specimens dif-
fer from the others examined in being greenish yellow with
brown bands. It is significant that these two specimens have
59 bars across body. Boulenger gives the limit of scale varia-
tion as follows: Ventrals, 195 to 240, average, 217; subcaudals,
30 to 45; scale rows, 21 to 25; black bands, 28 to 54.
TABLE 50.—Measurements and scale counts of Laticauda colubrina
(Schneider.)
a
No. | Locality. | Collector. s Eolas
| | Cap ie ean eae ae ae ae
| | o | oO oS ov 3 | c
eos | seh a Dmg ites eed 2
| | |
| | mm. mm, | Pairs.
|. 418) Bantayano tee L. E. Griffin.__.--__- @ |1,470, 120} 286, 34) 2
Read ean sdo a wheat nr cen [eaiews toile Ateesrey | 9 |a490! 140! 287) 37! 2
475 | Iwahig, Palawan _. i 3 | 910! 180) 287) 45) 2
476 | Bantayan__________ ; fof 115 | 97 | 242 46 | aml
477 | Palawan_....-..-- 2 300 bd 229] 45) 2
| 478 | Bantayan_..__._....--------- o | 760, 96, 288] 46, 2
Wy pA7Q) mend peer keno ee cL pe liee 455| 57 | 286| 44] 2
| 480 | Palawan.) 20 ie 2h | C. M. S | 945) 135) 240] 47) 2
| 908 | Dipolod Q 1,390} 115 234] 35] 2
| 1281 | Negros... e | 995 100 246 36 2
| ¥ | 968; 110 239 | 36| 2
| 3 | 720° 90 235] 44) 2
| é | 875 105 | 285) 44} 2
Q | 1,480] 140° 28 36, 3
| | . ereer|| | | |
| | Labials. FA | ’
es — S| a) an rs |
et rs a ofl zi@l#)] 4 |
oO. | | Touch} 3 g | g 4 ee & | F Collection.
Vener) oe [oe (SEL EE] 8) | 3
| | aes a é i | od & a
| 473 | |i 28 | 2 aM) Hail) eh 2/14+2+38! 54 | Bureau of Science.
| 474) 7-8 3, 4 | 2) 1) 8] a1| 2}1+2+4+3] 49 Do. |
| 45/ 7 3, 4 | 2} 1{ 8} a] 2)1+2+38) 50 Do
| 476) 7-8] 3,4] Di) ap Bie hs Sy aee ea cag Do
| 477 | 7 3, 4 | 2 1} 3| | 2j1+2+3! 43| Do
478 | 7 Ba 2 dal sh 2a 2)14+2+8/ 49 Do
| 479 | q 3, 4 | 2 1) 8] a! Bahasa ag") Do.
| 40! 7] 34) 2} q@ | a! 1] a2lite+3] 49] Do.
908 | 7 3, 4 | 2{ 1 3 1] 2/1424) 46 Do
| 1231 | | | | | alee Neel cra ee
| 1231 | 71 3, 4| 2 1 3 Uh 2 happy Be.) Se aylor.
1381 | 7 3, 4 | 2 1/ a] 1] 214248) 59] Do.
1353 7 Ene | Pl) oat el) A 2 14243) 50 Do
| 1307 | q cdi) 2 | Ti 38h! a 2!t+2+3 46/ Do |
| 1642 7 3, 4! 2| (a) 3; 1 2/1+2+3! 47/| Do |
234 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
It will be seen, therefore, that Philippine specimens have an
average of twenty ventrals more than the average of spec-
imens listed by Boulenger. They differ also from other snakes
of this species in the presence of the small azygous postmental
and (in the males) of a double row of keels along the ventral
scales with the scutes notched. I am convinced that Philippine
forms represent a subspecies of Laticauda colubrina; whether
it belongs with the typical form I am uncertain. The figure
given in Cuvier * is very probably of this group, since it agrees
in the number of stripes and in the presence of a postmental.
Remarks.—This species is abundant along the rocky coasts
of the Philippines. In the Sulu Archipelago I found the snake
in large numbers on small rocky islands, usually in cracks in
cliffs and under rocks. A number of specimens taken rotted
from lack of proper preservatives. The snakes of this species
are more terrestrial than are the other poisonous water snakes.
They feed wholly on fish, usually eels. When on land they are
rather helpless, and may be picked up by the tail with impunity.
The species is poisonous, probably deadly to man.
In the Philippines specimens are known from Samar, southern
Luzon, Bantayan, Palawan, Negros, and also from the small
islands of Dipolod, Tulian, and Bubuan, in the Sulu Archipelago.
LATICAUDA SEMIFASCIATA (Reinwardt)
PLATE 3, FIG. 2; PLATE 30
Platurus semifasciatus REINWARDT, in Schlegel, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837)
516.
Hydrophis colubrina SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp., Atlas, pl. 18, figs. 18-20;
Fauna Jap., Rept. (1837) 92, pl. 10.
Platurus fasciatus var. semifasciata FISCHER, Abh. Natur. Ver.
Hamburg 3 (1856) 30.
Platurus schistorhynchus GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1874)
297, pl. 45, fig. B; BOULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890)
395; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 309; Wau, Proc. Zool. Soc.
London (1908) 101; Mem. As. Soc. Bengal 2 (1907-10) 184, fig. 1.
Laticauda semifasciata STEJNEGER, Bull. U. 8S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907)
409, pl. 22.
Descripti “rom Stejneger.) ‘‘Rostral broader
than high, upper edge broad and truncate, scarcely visible from
above; three internasals, one unpaired anterior adjoining the
rostral, of which it is in reality only a detached portion, and
two posterior normal ones broadly in contact; three prefrontals,
a median pentagonal one, posteriorly broadly in contact with
frontal, and two lateral ones, broadly in contact with frontal
* Rép. Ami: Atlas (by Gey pl. 36.
LATICAUDA 235
and with supraocular; frontal large, much longer than its dis-
tance from tip of snout and than the parietals, supraoculars
as broad as frontal at the middle; parietals very short, not
longer than broad, much shorter than frontal; nostril large,
semilunar, near the middle of the long and narrow undivided
nasal; no loreal; one preocular, broadly in contact with nasal;
eye rather small, its vertical diameter less than its distance
from edge of lip; two postoculars; temporals 2 + 3, only slightly
differentiated from the adjacent scales; seven supralabials, third
a
Fic. 22. Laticauda semifasciata (Reinwardt) ; after Wall; a, head, dorsal view; b, head,
lateral view; c, chin.
and fourth largest and entering eye, first as wide above as
below; seven lower labials, of which the first pair behind the
small mental does not reach the edge of the lip, the labials from
the third backward very low, only the first three in contact with
chin-shields, of which only the anterior pair is clearly differen-
tiated, the posterior being represented by two scales separated
by one of nearly the same size; 23 rows of smooth scales without
apical pits; 205 ventrals, on the posterior half of the body by
a median blunt keel and a corresponding notch in the posterior
edge of each scute; anal divided; 40 pairs of subcaudals.
Color (in alcohol) .—“Bluish gray, darker above, paler under-
neath, with 48 dark brown rings around the body and seven on
the tail, the bands being widest on the median line of the back,
viz, about 34 scales wide, and there separated by a pale interval
only two scales wide; the rings are about 24 ventrals wide on
the underside and the light intervals about the same width;
head uniform dark brown, with a yellowish horseshoe-shaped
mark, the convexity of which rests on the prefrontals extending
backward on the outer edge of supraoculars, upper postocular
and upper temporals to and joining the first pale cross line on
occiput a scale row behind the parietals; snout and labials dark
brown like the rest of the head.”
236 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Measurements of Laticauda semifasciata (Reinwardt).
mm.
Total length 582
Snout to vent 507
Vent to tip of tail 75
“The young (in alcohol) are of a light bluish gray with
blackish brown rings and markings. The latter as the snake
grows larger become lighter and the former darker and browner,
while the demarcation between them becomes more obscure until
in very large specimens the markings become almost obliterated.
In the larger specimens therefore the dark gray cross markings
correspond to the whitish cross markings in the young.
“This species grows to a considerable size. The largest spec-
imen in our collection (No. 5546) measures 1,097 mm. in total
length, with a tail 136 mm. long, while the type measures, re-
spectively, 1,118 mm. and 140 mm.
“Variation —There is very little variation in the scale for-
mula proper, for only in one specimen (No. 5546) have I seen
4 temporals on one side, the normal number of 3 occurring on the
other. In eastern specimens the number of ventrals is rarely
as low as 188, but ranges usually between 197 and 212, while
the subcaudals vary between 32 and 43 pairs. Sometimes anom-
alies are found in the internasals; thus in No. 100 of the Im-
perial Museum, Tokyo, there is a small unpaired shield behind
the detached part of the rostral, broadly in contact with it and
with the unpaired median prefrontal, and in our No. 7515 there
are two unsymmetrical shields detached from the left inter-
nasal, as shown in fig. 331.”
Remarks.—This species is included in the Philippine fauna
on the strength of a specimen in Silliman Institute, Dumaguete,
Oriental Negros, at which town it was captured. The specimen
was examined by me in 1917, but I was unable to make an ex-
haustive study of it. It is very large and must measure nearly
2 meters in length.
Genus DISTEIRA Lacépéde
Hydrus, part., SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 1 (1799) 233; WAGLER, Syst.
Amph. (1880) 165.
Hydrophis DAUDIN, Hist. Nat. Rept. 7 (1803) 372; Gray, Cat. Vip.
Snakes (1849) 49; DuMERIL and Bipron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1341;
GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 360.
Disteira LACEPEDE, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 4 (1804) 210;
STEJNEGER, Bull. U. 8. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 418.
Letoselasma LAcErEpE, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 4 (1804) 210.
Enhydris WAGLER, Nat. Syst. Amph. (1830) 166.
Microcephalophis Lesson, in Bélanger’s Voy. Indes Orient., Rept.
(1834) 320; Atlas, Rept. pl. 3.
DISTEIRA 937
Liopata GRAY, Zool. Misc. (1842) 60.
Aturia Gray, Zool. Misc. (1842) 61.
Noterophis GISTEL, Naturg. Thierr. (1884) ix.
Clutulia Gray, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 56.
Kerilia GRAY, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 57.
Thalassophis ScHmipt, Abh. Natur. Ver. Hamburg 2 (1852) 75.
Distira Cops, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 32 (1887) 61; BouLENGER, Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 285.
Maxillary longer than ectopterygoid, not extending forward
as far as palatine; poison fangs large, followed by several
grooved teeth; anterior mandibular teeth sometimes grooved;
head usually smaller than body; nostrils superior, valved, pierced
in a single nasal, which is in contact with its fellow; head shields
large; preocular present; loreal usually absent; body long,
slender anteriorly, frequently compressed; ventrals more or less
distinct; always small.
There are few if any greater problems in herpetology than
the proper classification of sea snakes, particularly those belong-
ing to the genus Disteira. Boulenger * divided the group into
two genera, Hydrophis and Distira, recognizing in all forty
species out of a total of nearly ninety described forms. Wall,}
whose monograph on sea snakes appeared in 1911, fifteen years
after Boulenger’s work, relegates thirty-nine of the species, rec-
ognized by Boulenger, under a series of seventeen species of the
genus Distira and one to a different genus, and adds to his list
two other species, one of which (Distira neglecta) he himself
described, and the other (Distira ocellata) is from a synonym
of Boulenger’s Distiva ornata. Other species have since been
described. It is obvious that the status of species of this genus
is rather unstable.
Just how many species ‘should be included in the Philippine
fauna is a matter of considerable doubt. Hydrophis abbrevia-
tus Jan, H. brevis Jan, and H. loreata are all referable to Lapemis
hardwickit Gray. Hydrophis semperi Garman and Hydrophis
westermanni Jan are very probably referable to Disteira cyano-
cincta; and Disteira longiceps, recorded by Griffin from Manila
Bay, is probably Distetra ornata. Thus we are left with six
species reported as occurring in the Philippines. These are
Disteira fasciata, D. cincinnatii, D. ornata, D. cyanocincta, D.
spiralis, and D. cyanosoma.
I strongly suspect that Peters’s record of Hydrophis fasciatus
will have to be referred to Distetra cincinnatit, as has been done
* Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 271-299.
+ Mem. As. Soc. Bengal 2 (1911) 169-251.
SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
238
| "89% | Yale | 8-8 | F's 8 i i eeereeecn opie
82K. | | T |S Alor Z st ‘gtop'g | g dames, | paog | pi0z Were veep ee eter ge
# | | | oh 's |
| (0U AlarBd ‘sox | z \1 | 8 Ajoavs Z | Aare p‘g 8-2 1p | 9 so22 2-2 2-------------
‘sax | 2 Ajaaea [ | T IT Pe 810) A[atvrg, p G Ajered p | Se SO ata re arr pe a meio oe air
| eel ramet 25 Seer ee is =
T8tq8] | -gzey | | | ‘ada saque ‘sreiqey | |
puosas sayono} | _ |'81B[Nd0azqg | ‘sperodwa, = | ‘sare “Sa[BIAl
| [By uosjerg NvojF0g d| : s[Biqey jedd yy) | are | raters
IP bP Sh-OF 8& | gb-pe be | Pe | 88-8 && | pe-08
| oF | oP | 9P-8E &P | FP-TP Vie | 13 | 60-62 GLa | 86-L2
| ‘aBBlaae | “BzIUIT |, | “SPLWIT «= ‘advIoas ) csqruy | +s] rudy]
satoadg a3BIOAY aemagy aie ate saloadg esBIIAY a[eua.y asBIIAYy ary
| | *satnadg
| “Spog SPN 5
| ‘SMOU ATVOS
pias ey ee eae ROB LGrs (aE a TS a rages ee oe a te ee ee eggs escent e ee rina?
| Bids 868-028 | 098 868-098 988 SEESOCEA EET) RES ata ae as er sateen are eaee ea ee ena ta Eee ee
| She 8LE-E26 «19% BLZ-ZhS GES SU GES COTY ROL (lire oe athe amie ap eer a a aa see pee ni Crew ee oe wean nn aes ear Ae
| T98 V6E-02E | ELE | pee-eze | ore GOEOEE OBE | snot ch stg sag Soca Se SPEC SSS ca seco see se teceetete netted Gaede sce saee Soaks
ie Sey ean eee a li blll ene
‘aBVIVAB, -“szUIIT |. | ‘Sq rUly | “BYU ‘suew | te 5
| setvedg = saivadg OBEIOAN ‘apeweay epee. ‘a[e IW -pedg Seiveds
| Bt are oars ey = Ee ere ee ==> ee ESS Se RRM aS ATTY Pe Oe EEE
‘adA} UWOA y
“SSTIVULNGA
~~, Duosouvha “qT
pyouis0UnDhs “q
DEDULO “(I
LLIDUUVIU LI
vy DULOSOUDHI °C
DIIULIOUDNI “J
DIDULO “
DI DILLO
yp DUMOSOUDANI “CT
DJIULIOUDRI “(J
‘d
2UJDUUIIULI “CT
a381q fo sawods aumddipyg oy) fo szunoo 91DIS— Tq ATIVE
1UpDUUIULD “
DISTEIRA 239
with Boettger’s record for the same species. There appears to
be but a single record for D. spiralis from Manila, that of Jan.
I strongly suspect that that specimen is an abnormal D. cyano-
cincta with a single anterior temporal. As a result of this elim-
ination, four species remain whose status is stable, and which
undoubtedly occur in the Philippines. These are D. cyanocincta,
D. cincinnatii, D. cyanosoma, and D. ornatus. The last-named
species belongs to the variety D. inornata of Gray. Table 51
will serve as a key for species found in the Philippines.
DISTEIRA CINCINNATII Van Denburgh and Thompson
Disteira cincinnatti VAN DENBURGH and THOMPSON, Proc. Cal. Acad.
Sci. IV 3 (1908) 41, pl. 7; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911)
264.
Description of species —(From No. 1327, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected in Manila Bay, October, 1914, by E. H. Taylor.)'
(Male.) Body compressed, tail flattened; head small, not dis-
d 2 f
Fic. 23. Disteira cincinnatii Van Denburgh and Thompson; after Van Denburgh and Thomp-
son; a, head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral view; c, chin; d, anterior ventrals; e, anal
region ; f, ventrals.
tinct from neck; depth of neck contained in greatest body depth
nearly three times; head tapering, rather convex above; eyes
large; rostral about as deep as broad, distinctly visible from
above; internasal absent; nasals large, nearly quadrangular,
longer than wide, nostril pierced near its outer posterior edge
240 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
and connected with outer and posterior sutures by shallow
grooves; prefrontals broader than deep, touching second labials
laterally, their mutual suture little less than one-third that
between nasals; frontal small, longer than broad, as wide as
supraoculars and scarcely longer; parietals elongate, in contact
for three-fourths of their length; upper labials 6 (5 on right
side), first small, second largest, fifth triangular, third and fourth
broadly entering eye; preocular small; 1 postocular; temporals
i-++1; 8 lower labials (9 on left side), fourth a very small scale
widely separated from chin shields; mental very small; first
pair of labials of same size as second chin shields; 3 labials in
contact with anterior chin shields, which are shorter and wider
than second pair; latter in contact, bordered by 2 labials; 28
scale rows around neck, 40 around widest part of body, 32 around
widest part of tail; scales subimbricate anteriorly but juxtaposed
posteriorly, each with a small indistinct tubercle; ventrals, 367,
about twice as wide as adjoining scale rows, the last 5 divided;
4 anals, a small inner pair and a large outer pair; 64 sub-
caudals.
Color.Head entirely black, neck black with narrow bars
not meeting below; body brownish black, the bars of yellowish
white growing wider on sides, meeting or barely failing to
meet below, very much obscured dorsally; tail black with 5 bars
of light color; last 2 scarcely formed; 47 light bands on body,
5 on tail.
Measurements of Disteira cincinnatii Van Denburgh and Thompson.
mm,
Total length 645
Snout to vent 575
Tail 70
Length of head 10.5
Width of head 6
Width of neck 76
Depth ‘of body 19
Depth of tail AS
Variation.—Van Denburgh and Thompson give measure-
ments and scale counts for twenty specimens of this species.
The scale counts average as follows: Neck rows, 27; body, 42;
ventrals, 361. The average number of bands on body is 45, on
tail, 4. These authors report the following differences between
this species and Disteira fasciata Schneider and D. brookii Bou-
lenger:
DISTEIRA 241
This species is closely related to D. fasciata Schneider and D. brookii
Boulenger. From D. fasciata it differs in being much stouter; in the
narrow portion of the neck being shorter; in the lower average * number
of gastrosteges; in the arching of the maxilla between the fang and the first
tooth and the absence of an acute apex in front of the fangs; and in the
less acute posterior angle of the frontal plate. From D. brookii it differs
in the lower average number of gastrosteges; in the character of the
scales on the sides of the body, which are mostly regular hexagons or are
a trifle broader than long, where in D. brookii the upper and lower angles
of the scales are very acute and the laterals are twice the size of the scales
on the back. In D. brookti the snout is much broader.
Remarks—The type is from Manila Bay, collected in 1906
by Thompson. The species is not rare apparently, but is not
frequently taken in fishing nets, due to its small size. It is
poisonous, but due to the extremely small size of the head prob-
ably could not be considered deadly to man. It is said to
feed on small eels. Known only from Manila Bay.
DISTEIRA ORNATA (Gray)
Aturia ornata GRAY, Zool. Misc. (1842) 61.
Clutulia inornata GRay, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 56.
Disteira ornata, part., BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896)
290, sp. b and d.
Hydrophis ornatus, part., GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 876, pl.
25, fig. v.
Disteira ornata imornata WaAuL, Mem. As. Soc. Bengal 2 (1911)
169-251.
Disteira ornata GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 265.
Description of species—(From No. 784, Bureau of Science
collection ; collected in Manila Bay, 1911, by T. Bangis.) Body
strongly compressed; head elongate, about one-fifth wider than
neck; rostral wider than high, doubly arched below, with a slight
suture (anomalous) entering from above; suture with inter-
nasals wider than that with labials; no internasals; nasals
elongate, the nostril pierced in outer posterior part, a suture
issuing from lower side and continuing to second labial; a dim
groove from posterior part of nostril to prefrontal; prefrontals
wider than deep, the suture between them one-third that between
nasals, in contact laterally with second labial; frontal longer
than its distance from rostral, more than one and a half times
as long as wide, much shorter than parietals, one and a half
times as wide as supraoculars; parietals elongate, twice as long
* Average in twenty specimens of D. cincinnatii is 361, while in twenty-
six of D. fasciata it is 417.
161465——16
242 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
as wide; 1 preocular in contact with 2 labials; 2 postoculars;
2 anterior temporals; 8 upper labials, second largest, third and
fourth entering eye, sixth, seventh, and eighth very small; mental
small, triangular, wedge-shaped; 9 lower labials, last 2 very
small (on right side fourth is broken and two small parts
border mouth) ; first pair of labials broadly in contact, partially
inserted between anterior chin shields; latter in contact poste-
riorly; second pair distinct, separated from each other by 2
scales; 3 labials border first pair, and 2 or 3 the second pair;
scales juxtaposed, usually six-sided, each with a small tubercle;
Fic. 24. Disteira ornatu (Gray) ; drawing of a specimen from Manila Bay; a, head, dorsal
view; b, head, lateral view; c, head, ventral view. 2.
34 scale rows on neck; 41 on widest part of body; 25 on widest
part of tail; ventrals, 248, somewhat enlarged but, frequently
divided on posterior part of body; anus bordered by 3 pairs of
scales, the outer pair largest; ventrals grooved, usually with a
tubercle on each side; 44 subcaudals, not differentiated; tail
strongly compressed, widened at base behind anus.
Color in life——Above grayish blue, neck traversed by a few,
very narrow, lighter lines; the blue extends down about halfway
on side, below which the color is uniform yellowish white; tail
grayish with eight dim, narrow, yellowish white bars; the divi-
sion between dorsal and ventral color usually a straight line,
but in the posterior part the demarcation line is zigzag; head
slate blue; rather lavender on chin.
DISTEIRA
bo
—
(ee)
Measurements of Disteira ornata (Gray).
mm.
Total length 763
Snout to vent 676
Tail 87
Length of head 30
Width of head 12
Depth of neck 10
Depth of body 20
Depth of tail 15.5
Variation.—The chief variation is sexual, as the table shows.
Males are slenderer, with tails less compressed at base and some-
what longer; they are much more strongly tuberculate than
females. The males average 231 ventrals; 33 scale rows on
neck; 39 scale rows on widest part of body; and 24 around
tail. Females average 262.5 ventrals; 34.6 scale rows on neck;
44 on body; and 25 on tail. The females have only 2 pairs
of anals, instead of 3 pairs as in the males, and the nasal scale
is, usually, entirely broken in two. Several adult females show
no evidence of tuberculation on scales. The specimen figured
by Gtinther * (the type of Gray’s Clutulia inornata) is typically
identical with Philippine specimens, as characterized by the
| : > Ve | ran
| ora esa ess Bi) ea
| je) 8/23] 3
| es ee ee ag iE.
No. Locality. Collector. ke Ses I seca ey | e|
i w | . 37] o | on ae
5 | patel Bet aeons a} 2
o es | o |
a raed Neato aa | Z ee)
mm. | mm, | mm, ;|mm, | mm, | mm, mm.
| 720) 88 | 28/13 | 11.5 | 24.5 | 14.5
695 | 72| 27/12 |10 |o0g8 | 14
TOBA Ge |. 227 | 13 {11 | 31 | 16
720 82) 27/138 | 10 82 14
sto! 67/ 20/10 , 8 |e | 10
740 | 73) 27 | 2 | 10.56/35 | 14
ws| 7/30/12 | 10 | 20 | 16.5
656 | 70 | a4)i4 ju | 22 | 44
s10| 56) 20/10 | 9 /19 | 12
f 802| 94| 28/ 12.5 | 11.5 | 24 | 16
3 365 46 | 15 | 8 [ae Waa ee
Q | 4200; 48! 20/10 9 Jiv [ul
| d¢ | 350] 4 | 16] 7 | 56/11 | 9
ros 320 | @) 182) ONS (hie. alee dice =e
825------- | dOraceesseeaaes tees dO yasmin | ¢ | 395) 48] 18) 85] 7 | 16 | 12
1802 ee AG yee NL ed Vall esd oan 2 | 390) 48 1g| 7.5] 7 | 15 9
* Mutilated.
* Rept. Brit. India (1864) pl. 25, fig. v.
PAA SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
TABLE 52.—Measurements and scale counts of Disteira ornata
(Gray )—Continued.
| | Scale rows. | Labials. |
Subs | —= —
No Men: | cau- | | Anals. |
| ae | dals. | Neck. | Body. | Tail. | Laden Inaeee| peeing one
| | shields
eter tS | et = el -|-- Sas —o <
| | | | |
43 33 38 24 | 6 | sb" Y) 3,4 | 3
39 35 | 44 26 | 4) 7 9! 3,4 3
38 35) 45 27 | 4 8} 9-10 3,4 3
42 34; 42 22 | 4) 7-8 9/ 34] 8
40 3d 40 5 235\| 6 E 8 | 3,4 3
| sal ea <a) ool #) —@) Sf Sal 8
| 44 34 | sl 26 | 6 8 | 9) 34) 38
| 38) 36; 45; 25 Al) 38) 9) 34| 3
42 35 33 | 25 6 alk 9-8 3,4 3
43 31 3T 23 6 8 | 3,4 3
42! 30 | 3aillndeua ce 6 | 7 | 8! 3,4 8
| 44 S60 4B} 4 8, 9) 84, 3
| 42| 32 B87 tee 6 7-8 | S seed 282)
(a) 38 BAS nt 6 8 10 3,4 B}
Ati) eal 88 |escctce 6 8 a| asl 3
40| 34 45 26 d 8 9) 3,4 4
ont ae 274 pea eeeal : = rea ae
An- | | 4 et Pi
peeren me Prefrontals | Second pair of
No. legrapes Nasaldivided. | touch second | chin shields Collection.
scale | labial. separated.
WM Bie a2 re 3 JoPartialliy s2s2022< On one side_- | Yes_____._... Bureau of Science.
| 779. Es 253! [OMGS a fee werenusses= 5} On Oneside...) 2. d0-.- a. Do.
| 3 AO Ok sts ae No 223 Elie Sdolansn ss Do.
Due Sedo ee ee eee | Do
2! Partially ___..__.- Pee I Oe ees bctietdO sega ce ol Do.
EN Wjee teem sac aes een oh (Shc fe NAMEN MONON Alc ce ea ae Do.
2 Partiallt< soet hens Oa ences S552 500 e2ce5 Do.
DONT ENEC Sine! 2 mek st BNE ee LAU 0% 2a: GO an~ees Do
322 Partially se. +22. 3).<- dO) 2222 5 32 b (6 (0 eee Do.
Pitot Oem ciaisieit ere oem Cotes = 3-4 Es (eee Do.
ope Partiallye 26. 55 LASS S72 eae AO eetatoers f&. H. Taylor.
Or Cease saat ccoeaes = VV CGr =n Soe AMO seo eae Do.
20), Partially, 222, 2s.e<) eee S06 sce. ees SAO aed Do.
Bh Nec esr oe eek es oe 58 Snare -do.. aie Do.
2-3 Obs seean se ¥eSicss2<: a22i06 ses) Do.
DAV NCR eet Aine Gee IS eee] TDG:
" Mutilated.
upper labials, the separation of the second pair of chin shields,
the temporals, and the narrow lower labials. No other variety
of Disteira ornata appears to have been discovered in the Phil-
ippines. I strongly suspect that this Philippine form
merits
specific designation. In young males the narrow whitish bands
on the neck are evident, and they sometimes persist in adult
specimens. Young females are colored like the adults.
DISTEIRA 245
Remarks.—This species is common in Manila Bay, where it
is known as malabasahan and calabucab. It feeds for the most
part on eels. Specimens kept in the Bureau of Science aquarium
when very hungry will eat small dead fish. They rarely live
more than three months in captivity. s
The species is poisonous, probably deadly to man. Known
from Manila Bay and Palawan. Widely distributed from south-
eastern Asia throughout the Malay Archipelago.
DISTEIRA CYANOCINCTA (Daudin)
Hydrophis cyanocinctus DAUDIN, Hist. Nat. Rept. 7 (1803) 383;
PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1872) 852, pl. 1, fig. 2; Fayrer, Thanatoph.
Ind. (1874) pl. 23; Murray, Zool. Sind. (1884) 391; BorrTrcEr,
Offenb. Ver. Nat. (1888) 89.
Leioselasma striata LACEPEDE, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. 4 (1804) 198,
210, pls), figs wl.
Enhydris cyanocinctus MERREM, Tent. Syst. Amph. (1820) 141.
Enhydris striatus MERREM, Tent. Syst. Amph. (1820) 141.
Hydrus cyanocinctus Bog, Isis (1827) 354.
Hydrophis striata SCHLEGEL, Fauna Japon., Rept. (1887) 89, pl. 7;
Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 502, pl. 18, figs. 4 and 5; FiscHer, Abh. Na-
turw. Hamburg 3 (1856) 41; OkapDA, Cat. Vert. Japan (1891) 69.
Hydrus striatus, part., CANToR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 126.
Hydrophis subannulata Gray, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 54.
Hydrophis chittal RAFINESQUE, Am. Month. Mag. (1817) 482.
Hydrophis aspera GRAY, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 55; GUNTHER, Rept.
Brit. India (1864) 365.
Hydrophis cyanocincta, part., GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 367.
Hydrophis trachyceps, THEOBALD, Cat. Rept. As. Soc. Mus. (1868) 70.
Hydrophis crassicollis ANDERSON, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 40 (1871)
19.
Hydrophis westermanni JAN, Rev. Mag. Zool. (1859); Icon. Gén.
(1872) livr. 39, pl. 5, fig. 1; Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 111.
Hydrophis phipsoni MuRRAY, Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 2 (1887)
32, pl.
Hydrophis (Hydrophis) cyanocinctus BoETTGER, Zool. Anz. 11 (1888)
396 (Philippines).
Hydrophis taprobanica Haty, Taprobanian 2 (1887) 107.
Distira cyanocincta BOULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 410;
ScLATER, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 60 (1891) 247; BortTtcrr, Ber.
Offenb. Ver. Nat. (1892) 90; BoULENGER, Cat. Snakes, Brit. Mus.
3 (1896) 294; West, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1895) 823, pl. 66,
figs. 1, 8, 17; Watt, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1903) 96, 101; Borrt-
GER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1898) xxxviii (1905) 170 (Philippines).
Disteira cyanocincta STEJNEGER, Bull. U. 8. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 428;
Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 38 (1911) 111.
Description of species—(Adult male.) Head not distinct
from neck; rostral broad, pentagonal, well visible above, form-
ing nearly equal sutures with nasals and labials; nostril pierced
246 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
in the outer posterior part of nasal with a suture reaching from
it to second labial; nasals large, in contact the greater part of
their length; prefrontals broader than long, touching second la-
bials; frontal longer than wide, not as long as its distance
from rostral,» wider than supraoculars; parietals longer than
frontals, touching superior postocular and bordered by 3 tempo-
rals, first largest; 1 small preocular; 2 postoculars; 8 upper
labials, second very large, touching nasal, prefrontal, and pre-
c
Fic. 25. Disteira cyanocincta (Daudin) ; after Wall; a, head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral
view; c, head, ventral view.
ocular, third, fourth, and fifth entering orbit, seventh smallest;
2 anterior temporals, the lower followed by the eighth upper la-
bial; 9 lower labials, the 2 anterior largest, touching first pair of
chin shields which are smaller than second pair; latter in contact
half their length; lower labials from third to ninth small, sepa-
rated from chin shields by 3 large scales, the third of which is
slightly separated from the second pair of chin shields; scales
imbricating, pointed more or less posteriorly on anterior part of
body, truncate on posterior part of body, each scale with a dis-
tinct keel or tubercle; scales largest lateroventrally; ventrals
small, usually a half wider than adjoining scale rows, equipped
with 2 or more tubercles; ventrals, 237; anals, 2 pairs, outer
largest, not in contact; subcaudals, 49; 31 scale rows on neck,
39 on body, 26 on tail; scute on tip of tail large.
Measurements of Disteira cyanocineta (Daudin).
mm.
Total length 1,080
Snout to vent 992
Tail 88
Length of head 25
Width of head 3
Depth of neck 18
Depth of body
Depth of tail
bo bo
ios)
ow
Color in life-—Above dull blue, the body traversed by 52
yellow-white bars, very dim dorsally, distinct ventrally ; tail with
DISTEIRA 247
5 bars, only the first 2 extending to underpart of tail. Head
greenish black, throat and neck black, the black interrupting
the light bars from above.
Variation.—Variations in scale counts evident in Philippine
specimens are: Ventrals, 320 to 398; scale rows on neck, 29 to 33;
scale rows on body, 36 to 40. For extra-Philippine specimens,
Boulenger gives the following limits: Ventrals, 281 to 385;
scale rows on neck, 27 to 33; scale rows around body, 39 to 45.
Specimen No. 798, Bureau of Science collection, has only
2 labials entering eye, but there is a fusion of the fourth and
fifth labials; No. 800, Bureau of Science collection, has the sixth
labial broken, making 3 anterior temporals; a specimen consist-
ing merely of the head of a very large snake has the same
arrangement of temporals as the preceding, only 2 labials enter
the eye, and there are only 7 upper labials. This head measures
43 millimeters in length, and 29 in width. No. 797, Bureau of
Science collection, has 3 anterior temporals; the fifth labial of
this specimen is broken transversely, the upper part entering
eye,
TABLE 53.—Measurements and scale counts of Disteira cyanocincta
(Daudin) .
a ia Salta ]
be. | ae lS: | Scale rows. |
| No. _ Sex. Locality. Collector. Length. Tail. ae cau- —
| | | dals | Body. | Neck. |
| | | 32) ee
| er ae a a
| wm. mm |
797 @ | Manila... T. Bangis -.......| 1,255) 91] 368 | 45 | 41) 31 |
798 | & 945 (a) 856 aes 36 29 |
800 | 9 e70| 56; 350/ 48, 40) 30 |
102, @ 1, 140 84) 352) 45 40; 28
1103 1,073 | 98 356 53 36| 29 |
1104 | of 476 | 43 356 49) 87 | 28
|b 1105 -|- : ese aa ---| 81
No. | Upper Lower Labials, Pre- | Post- | Tem- |Anals. ‘Bands.
labials. | labials.! pa loculars. oculars. porals.
|
|
797 | ca 8-9 3,4,5 1 2 2+2 2 | 63 | Bureau of Science.
| J 3,41)
798 q 8-8 | 2} 242 2 | 58 Do.
eee | ball? | a | | s
| 800 8 | 98 3,4,5 1 2) 3-3 4 54 Do.
| 1102 8) 8-9! 34,5 1! 2) 242 4) 57 | E. H. Taylor.
| 1103 8-7} 8-9! 3,4,5 1 | 2| 2+2 4| 68 Do. |
| 1104 7| 9-9) 3,4 1 2) 242) 6 68, «io. |
| b 1105 | 7| 910 3,4 1 2) 3+3 leteaes cereae, | Do. |
= = A a erase
a Mutilated. > Head only.
Remarks.—This species is fairly common about Manila Bay.
Dead snakes are frequently found along the beach where they
DAR SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
a
have been killed by fishermen. A few specimens have been kept
alive at various times in the Bureau of Science aquarium.
It is significant that this species enters
Lake Taal, a fresh-water lake connected with
the sea by a river only a few kilometers long.
From this locality Semper obtained speci-
mens, one of which became the type of
Garman’s Hydrophis sempert. A careful
reading of Garman’s description “seventh
[labial] smallest, and separated from the
temporal by a large pentagonal plate” shows
the presence of 2 temporals, the “plate” ap-
parently being the second tempor al.
Fic. 26. Disteira cyano-
cincta (Daudin); after DISTEIRA CYANOSOMA Wall
Jan’s D. westermanni;
a, head, lateral view ; j ;
b, head, lateral view Disteira cyanosoma WALL, Journ. Bombay Nat.
(variation) . Hist. Soc. 22 (1918) 516.
Description of species —(After the type description.) Ros-
tral broader than high, in contact with 4 shields; nasals in con-
tact with each other; suture from nostril passing to second
supralabial; 2 prefrontals in contact with second supralabial ;
frontal touches 6 shields, frontalparietal sutures rather the
longest; parietals entire; 1 preocular; 2 postoculars; 2 tempo-
rals on right side, 3 on left side, all longer than high; 8 supra-
labials, third and fourth touching the eye, sixth and seventh
small, eighth elongate; 2 pairs of chin shields, subequal, the
posterior pair quite separated by small scales; 4 lower labials,
fourth largest, a cuneate scale wedged between third and fourth;
33 scale rows on neck, 37 in middle of body, 35 a short distance
in front of anus; scales subimbricate, faintly tuberculate; ven-
trals, 218 (?)* enlarged, entire, not quite twice the width of the
last row of scales.
Color.—Uniformly bluish, deeper dorsally, paler on sides and
on belly.
Remarks.—No measurements of this species are given; since
the number of scale rows on the neck is only four less than in
midbody it is safe to suppose that the species does not belong to
the small-headed, narrow-necked group of this genus. :
The species was sent from the Philippines, but the exact local-
ity ig not recorded. Wall states Mages - bears a pronounced
* Walls Ss query.
LAPEMIS 249
superficial resemblance to Enhydrina valakadyn (Boie). I have
found no specimens that are referable to this species.
Genus LAPEMIS Gray
Enhydris, part., MERREM, Tent. Syst. Amph. (1820) 140 (not of La-
treille 1802).
Hydrophis, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 512; DuMBRIL and
Bipron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1841; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863)
109; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 360.
Lapemis GRAY, Ill. Ind. Zool. 2 (1884) pl. 87, fig. 2; Zool. Misc. (1842)
60; Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 43; STeJNEGcER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.
58 (1907) 435.
Pelamis, part., FIscHER, Abh. Naturw. Hamburg 3 (1856) 61.
Enhydris BOULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 393; Cat. Snakes
Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 300; Wai, Mem. As. Soc. Bengal 2 (1907-10)
246.
“Maxillary as long as the ectopterygoid, extending forwards
as far as the palatine, with two large poison-fangs and 2 to 4
small feebly-grooved teeth. Nostrils ‘superior; head-shields
large; nasals in contact with each other; a preocular; loreal
present or absent. Body short and stout; scales hexagonal or
squarish, juxtaposed; ventrals very feebly developed, if at all
distinct.” (Boulenger.)
Two species of this genus are known, Lapemis curtus Shaw,
confined to the coasts of India and Ceylon, and Lapemis hard-
wickti Gray, which is found in the Bay of Bengal and the waters
bounding the Malay Peninsula and Malay Archipelago. The
latter species is the commonest water snake in Manila Bay, as
many as a hundred being brought in with a single haul of a net
in the shallow water along the coast. The snakes may be seen
swimming in the water or coming to the surface to breathe about
the swimming rafts on Pasay Beach.
LAPEMIS HARDWICKII Gray
Lapemis hardwickii Gray, Ill. Ind. Zool. 2 (1834) pl. 87, fig. 2; Cat.
Vip. Snakes (1849) 44; STEJNEGER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907)
435.
Hydrophis pelamidoides SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 512, Atlas,
pl. 18, figs. 16, 17; Fauna Jap., Rept. (1838) pl. 9; DumErRim and
BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1845; Fiscuer, Abh. Naturw. Hamburg
(1856) 64, pl. 8; JAN, Icon. Gén. (1872) livr. 41, pl. 3, fig. 1.
Lapemis loreatus GRAY, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 11 (1843) 46.
Hydrophis hardwickti GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 380, pl. 25,
fig. W.; ANDERSON, Journ. Linn. Soc. 21 (1889) 348.
Hydrophis loreata GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 380; BoETTGER,
Zool. Anz. (1888) 396.
Hydrophis fayreriana, ANDERSON, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 40 (1871) 19.
Hydrophis problematicus JAN, Rev. & Mag. Zool. (1859) 150 (Ma-
nila?).
250 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Hydrophis brevis JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 109 (Manila).
Hydrophis abbreviatus JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 109 (Manila) ;
Icon. Ophid. (1872) livr. 40, pl. 4, fig. 2.
Enhydris hardwickii, BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896)
301; Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 397; WALL, Mem. As. Soe.
Bengal 2 (1907-10) 247.
Hydrophis (Thalassophis) loreatus BOETTGER, Zool, Anz. 11 (1888)
396 (Mindanao and Luzon).
Description of species—(From No, 636, Bureau of Science
collection; collected in Manila Bay, by T. Bangis.) (Adult fe-
male.) Head moderate; nostrils superior; rostral not visible
from above, slightly higher than broad, with a short suture enter-
ing from above; nasals large, longer than wide, forming a long
mutual suture; a suture runs from nostril to anterior part of
second labial, and a second from nostril to prefrontal, com-
pletely dividing the scale; prefrontals much wider than long,
touching second labial, their mutual suture as long as their
sutures with frontal; frontal longer than wide, pointed sharply
c
Fic. 27. Lapemis hardwickii Gray; after Giinther; a, head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral
view; ¢, chin.
behind, distinctly shorter than its distance from end of snout;
supraoculars longer than broad; parietals elongate, very much
longer than broad, touching postocular on one side only; 7 upper
labials, the second largest and highest, touching anterior part
of nasal; third and fourth labials enter eye, sixth and seventh
small, wider than high; 2 large anterior temporals followed by
3 smaller ones; 3 pairs of small chin shields, only the first pair
in contact; second and third pairs separated by 3 rows of small
scales ; mental small, triangular ; third labial separated from edge
of mouth by 2 small scales; fourth lower labial largest; posterior
lower labials bent over edge of mouth; scales on body six-sided,
with a distinct keel on anterior part of each; scales in 34 rows
around neck; 41 rows around deepest part of body, 26 rows
around deepest part of tail; ventrals about 186, small, keeled,
scarcely discernible from body scales, usually with 2 tubercular
keels; subcaudals, 33; 4 anal scales, 2 outer largest; anals pre-
ceded by several small differentiated scales.
LAPEMIS 251
at
Color in alcohol.—Above, banded with bluish black and light
bands, about 39 of each, from head to tail; on back the black
bands are 5 scales wide, the light bands about 2 scales wide; the
black bands narrow rapidly, and midway on sides they are only
2 or 3 scales wide; the white bands widen on sides proportionally
as the black bands decrease in width; the black bands widen
again on belly; tail largely black, the white bands not extending
more than halfway down on sides of tail.
Measurements of Lapemis hardwickii Gray.
mm.
Total length 762
Snout to vent 689
Tail 73
Depth of neck 23
Greatest depth of body 43
Depth of tail 24
Length of head 34
Width of head 25
Variation—A remarkable amount of variation is evident in
this species, and the sexes differ markedly. Boettger gives the
following variation in scale counts. Males: Ventrals, 135 to
168, average, 153; scale rows, 25 to 31, average, 28. Females:
Ventrals, 186 to 237, average, 202; scale rows, 29 to 36, aver-
age, 31. In specimens that I examined the ventrals varied
between 130 and 2380; and the scale rows, between 24 and 41.
Of about one hundred fifty specimens examined about sixty
had one or more loreals present on one or both sides (Hydrophis
loreata). The loreal is usually formed from the anterior part
of second labial; sometimes it is fused with preocular, in which
case the latter touches nasal; sometimes the loreal fuses with
the lower part of nasal, sometimes with a second loreal formed
from the upper part of first labial. Not infrequently specimens
are found with one or two loreals on one side and none on the
other. The frontal varies greatly in length; sometimes it is
as long as its distance from snout, at other times it is scarcely
half as long. One or two preoculars are present. The suture
from nostril goes with about equal frequency to first and second
labials; there are usually two anterior temporals but not in-
frequently the temporals are fused into one scale.
The markings are variable also. The number of dark bands
varies between 28 and 41; they may encircle body or may be
joined on back not extending the full length of side; sometimes
the bands are joined by a black line following the ventrals;
the bands may be wide or narrow.
252 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Remarks.—The species is incredibly numerous in Manila Bay.
I have kept as many as fifty living specimens in the aquarium
at one time. They do not do well in captivity and seldom live
for more than a few months. To obtain the proper sort of food
for them is a problem.
Most of the Philippine records for this species are for Manila.
. I have taken specimens at Hinigaran, on Negros. It probably
occurs with greater or less frequency on the coasts of all of
the islands. Outside of the Philippines it occurs from the Bay
of Bengal to New Guinea.
Genus PELAMYDRUS Stejneger
Hydrus, part., SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 1 (1799) 238.
Pelamis, part., DAUDIN, Hist. Rept. 7 (1803) 357; FiscHER, Abh.
Naturw. Hamburg 3 (1856) 61.
Pelamis F1TzINGER, Neue Class. Rept. (1826) 29; WaAcLER, Syst. Amph.
(1830) 165; Gray, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 41; DumERIL and BI-
BRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1833; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864)
382; BortrcEr, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 119; CAsTo DE ELERA,
Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 443.
Hydrophis, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 488; JAN, Elenco
Sist. Ofid. (1863) 109.
Thalassophis, part., ScumipT, Abh. Naturw. Hamburg 2 (1852) 75.
Hydrus BOULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 397; Cat. Snakes
Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 266.
Pelamydrus STEJNEGER, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 38 (1911) 111.
“Maxillary longer than the ectopterygoid, not extending for-
wards as far as the palatine; poison-fangs rather short, fol-
lowed, after a short interspace, by 7 or 8 solid teeth. Nostrils
superior; snout long; head-shields large, nasals in contact with
each other; a przocular; no loreal. Body rather short; scales
hexagonal or squarish, juxtaposed; no distinct ventrals.”’ (Bou-
lenger.)
Widely distributed throughout the Indian Ocean, Malay. Archi-
pelago, and the Pacific Ocean. Only one species is recognized.
PELAMYDRUS PLATURUS (Linnzus)
PLATE 31, FIG. 1
Anguis platura LINN4ZuS, Syst. Nat. ed. 12 1 (1766) 391.
Hydrus bicolor SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 1 (1799) 242; CANTOR, Cat.
Mal. Rept. (1847) 135; Cuvier, Reg. Anim. Rept. Atlas 6, pl. 36.
Hydrophis platura LATREILLE, Hist. Nat. Rept. 4 (1802) 197.
Pelamis bicolor DaupIN, Hist. Nat. Rept. 7 (1803) 366; Gray, Cat.
Vip. Snakes (1849) 41; Dumirit and Binron, Erp. Gen. 7 (1854)
1335; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 382; Krerrt, Snakes
Austral. (1869) 98, pl. 12, fig. 19; SrraucH, Schl. Russ. Rept.
(1873) 199; FAyrer, Thanatoph. Ind. (1874) pl. 17; Perers, Preuss.
Exped. O. Asien 1 (1876) 382; Prerrrs and Dorta, Ann. Mus.
PELAMYDRUS 253
Genova 12 (1878) 416; Murray, Zool. Sind. (1883) 397; Fisk,
Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1885) 482; Borrrcrer, Ber. Senck. Nat.
Ges. (1886) 119; Zool. Anz. 11 (1888) 398 (Philippines) ; Casto
DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 443.
Hydrophis pelamis SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 508, Atlas, pl. 18,
figs. 13-15; Fauna Jap., Rept. (1838) 90, pl. 8.
Pelamis ornata GRAY, Zool. Misc. (1842) 60; Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849)
43.
Hydrophis bicolor FiscHer, Abh. Naturw. Hamburg 3 (1856) 51;
JAN, Icon. Ophid. (1872) livr. 40, pls. 2 and 3.
Pelamis platurus StouiczKa, Proc. As. Soc. Bengal (1872) 92; Gar-
MAN, Bull. Essex Inst. 24 (1892) 88.
Hydrus platurus BOULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 397; Cat.
Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 267; STEJNEGER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.
58 (1907) 439; BorrtcEr, Ber. Offenb. Ver. Nat. (1892) 88.
Pelamydrus platurus STEJNEGER, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 38 (1911) 111.
Description of species —(From an unnumbered specimen in
the Santo Tomas Museum, Manila; Manila Bay.) Head elon-
gate, slender; rostral as high as wide, visible above; nostril
superior, pierced in nasal in lower posterior corner; nasals
longer than prefrontals, their mutual suture longer than that
between prefrontals; no internasals; frontal about as long as
distance to end of snout, narrow and pointed posteriorly, little
Fic. 28. Pelamydrus platurug (Linneus) ; after Stejneger; a, head, dorsal view; b, head,
lateral view; c, head, veniral view.
wider than supraoculars; parietals but little longer than frontal,
with 2 small equal scales inserted between them and entirely
surrounded by them; 8 upper labials, first square, second high,
in contact with prefrontal and upper preocular, fourth entering
eye; 2 preoculars; 2 large postoculars; temporals 3 + 3; mental
very small; 11 and 12 lower labials, first large, broadly in con-
tact; first pair of chin shields small, broken, touching 3 labials;
254 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
53 scale rows around body; scales hexagonal or quadragonal,
juxtaposed; ventrals scarcely differentiated; 4 preanals; tail
greatly flattened.
Color in aleohol._The 23 dorsal scale rows on body and head
are dark brown, the 30 lateral and ventral rows, yellowish; tail
barred above with 6 bands of brown, which reach down about
halfway on side of tail; below with 7 similar bands alternating;
rest of tail yellowish.
Measurements of Pelamydrus platurus (Linneus).
mm.
Total length 540
Snout to vent 479
Tail 61
Greatest width of tail 15
Variation.—This species is extremely variable in color.
Boulenger * recognizes seven color varieties; this specimen
belongs to his variety E (Hydrus bicolor Schneider). The scales
vary from 45 to 53 around the body; they are smooth in the
young and in the females; in the males the laterals and ventrals
are rough, with 1, 2, or 3 tubercles.
Remarks.—This species is rare in the Philippines; the spec-
imen described is one of the first records for Luzon.
ELAPIN
Tail cylindrical; hypapophyses more or less developed through-
out the vertebral column. Poison fangs well developed, stand-
ing erect and stationary. Deadly poisonous.
This group contains the most dangerous snakes, notably the
genus Naja the species of which are generally known as cobra
or cobra di capello. There are more than thirty genera of the
Elapine. Most of the genera are confined to Australia and New
Guinea, with their near-by islands. They constitute the greater
part of the Australian snakes. One genus is confined to North,
Central, and South America, and is the only genus of the family
in that territory.
Three genera are known in the Philippines.
Key to the Philippine genera of the Elapine.
a, Vertebre of neck with long ribs which enable the distension of neck;
poison gland confined to head; scales in 15 to 25 rows around body;
internasal borders nostril... Naja Laurenti (p. 255).
a. No elongate ribs on cervical vertebre; internasals not bordering nostril.
b'. Seales in 15 rows; poison gland confined to head.
Hemibungarus Peters (p. 268).
* Catalogue, loc. cit.
NAJA 255
b’. Scales in 13 rows; poison gland very elongate, entering far into
ody: Cavitye-2. 2-5 he ie a MEN Doliophis Girard (p. 273).
Genus NAJA Laurenti
Naja LAURENTI, Syn. Rept. (1768) 90; Mrrrem, Tent. Syst. Amph.
(1820) 147; DUMERIL and Brpron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1275; GUN-
THER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 220; Rept. Brit. India (1864) 338;
JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 119; Borrtcer, Ber. Senck Nat. Ges.
(1886) 116; CAsTo DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 439;
STEJNEGER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 394.
Naja, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 461; Borg, Isis (1827)
537.
Dendraspis FITZINGER, Syst. Rept. (1843) 28.
Ureus WAGLER, Syst. Amph. (1830) 173.
Aspis WAGLER, Syst. Amph. (1830) 173 (non Laurenti).
Tomyris EICHWALD, Zool. Spec. 3 (1831) 171.
Hamadryas (non Htibner) CANTor, Asiat. Res. 19 (1836) 87; GUN-
THER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 218.
Trimeresurus, part., DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1244.
Pseudohaje GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 222.
Ophiophagus GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 340; BorTrceEr, Ber.
Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 116; CasTo pE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Fili-
pinas 1 (1895) 439.
Naia BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 390; Cat. Snakes
Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 372.
“Maxillary extending beyond the palatine, with a pair of large
grooved poison-fangs, and one to three small, faintly grooved
teeth near its posterior extremity; mandibular teeth, anterior
longest. Head not or but slightly distinct from neck ; eye moder-
ate or rather large, with round pupil; nostril between two nasals
and the internasal; no loreal. Body cylindrical; scales smooth,
without pits, disposed obliquely, in 15-25 rows (or more on the
neck) ; ventrals rounded. Tail moderate; subcaudals all or great-
er part in two rows.” (Boulenger.)
The genus Naja is distributed from Africa, over southern Asia
and the Malay Archipelago. One species extends into Celebes.
The larger part of the species is African. Two well-known and
widely distributed species enter the Philippines.
Key to the Philippine species of Naja Lawrenti.
a. Scales in 19 to 21 rows on neck, 15 rows on body; 4 meters in length
N. hannah (Cantor) (p. 256).
a’. Scales in 21 to 35 rows on neck, 17 to 25 rows on body; 2 meters in
DEM Or 0 1270] CSS eae ce eee eras Selle N. naja Linneus (p. 259).
The second species is represented in the Philippines by three
well-defined subspecies which, as Boulenger * states, “might be
regarded as distinct species but for the absence of any sharp
demarcation-lines between them.”
* Catalogue, 381.
256 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
The cobra, or cobra di capello (Portuguese), which is the com-
mon name for this group of snakes associated under the species
Naja naja, is readily recognized by its habit of raising the ante-
rior part of the body from the ground, and spreading the skin
of the neck, when disturbed. The vertebre of the neck are
equipped with elongate ribs. Usually, too, the snake emits a loud
hissing noise when it strikes, and not infrequently squirts small
jets of venom from its hollow fangs. This poison can be thrown
at least 2 meters, but cannot do harm unless thrown into a fresh
wound or into the eye. The eye thus poisoned becomes inflamed
and a conjunctivitis results, sometimes causing blindness and
even death. In Naja hannah the ability to spread the neck is
probably much less developed than in N. naja. The food of the
two species consists of snakes, lizards, and frogs. N. hannah
appears to prey wholly on snakes of other species. Snakes of
this genus are deadly poisonous to man, death usually ensuing a
few hours after the individual is bitten.
NAJA HANNAH (Cantor)
PLATE 31, FIGS. 2 AND 3
Hamadryas hannah CANToR, As. Res. 19 (1836) 87. pls. 10-12.
Naja bungarus SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 476, pl. 17, figs. 8, 9;
SCHLEGEL and MULLER, in Temminck Verh. Overz. Bez. Nederl. Ind.
Rept. (1844) 71, pl. 10; PeTers, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 690; Bov-
LENGER, Fauna Brit: India, Rept. (1890) 3892, fig. 114; GRIFFIN,
Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 266.
Hamadryas ophiophagus CANTOR, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1839) 323 Gat
Mal. Rept. (1847) 116.
Trimeresurus ophiophagus, part., DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén.
7 (1854) 1245.
Hamadryas elaps GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 219.
Trimeresurus bungarus JAN, Rev. and Mag. Zool. (1859) 129; Icon.
Gén. (1873) 44, pl. 4.
Naja (Hamadryas ?) fasciata Perers, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 689.
Ophiophagus elaps GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 341; STo
LIczKA, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 39 (1870) 210, pl. 11, fig. 7; AN-
DERSON, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1871) 188; Fayrer, Thanatoph. Ind.
(1874) pls. 7, 8; Borrrcer, Ber. Senck, Nat. Ges. (1886) 116; Ber.
Offenb. Ver. Nat. (1888) 86; CAsTO DE ELerA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas
1 (1895) 440.
Naja claps THEOBALD, Cat. Rept. Brit. India (1876) 209.
Naja ingens VAN HasseEut, Versl. Ak. Amsterd. 17 (1882) 140.
Ophiophagus fasciatus BoETTGER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 117;
CasTo DE ELrrA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 489.
Hamadryas elaps FISCHER, Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg 2 (1885) 81.
Naja tripudians var. sumatrana MULLER, Verh. Nat. Ges. Basel 8
(1887) 277.
Naia bungarus BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 386.
NAJA 257
Description of species —(From No. 13, Bureau of Science col-
lection; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, 1917, by C. M. Weber.)
(Adult male.) Rostral barely visible from above, one and one-
fifth times as wide as high; suture
between internasals about half
the length of scales; prefrontals
larger than internasals, wider
than long, drawn to a_ point
laterally which nearly separates
preocular from nasal; frontal
about one-fifth longer than wide,
as wide as but slightly narrower
than supraoculars, equal to its
distance from rostral; parietals
very long, equal to their dis-
tance from rostral, bordered by
2 large temporals and 2 large
postparietals; nostril between 2
nasals and internasal; a small
square preocular; 3 postoculars;
temporals 2 + 3; 7 upper labials,
fifth nearly as high as fourth;
8 lower labials; anterior chin py. 29. Naja hannah (Cantor): after
shields wider but shorter than ee scahead dorsal view); Ux head:
posterior, which are not separat-
ed from each other; scales in 15 smooth rows about body, 21 rows
about neck; ventrals 267; subcaudals 104 (8 undivided) ; anal
single; length of eye contained in distance from eye to snout
one and seven-tenths times.
Color in alcohol.—Yellowish to olive brown above, the scales
of posterior part of body edged with brown, growing darker and
more pronounced on tail. Body traversed by a number of dim
lighter bars, at least seventy, scarcely apparent on anterior part
of body or tail; this coloration is due chiefly to the coloring of
the skin between scales.
Measurements of Naja hannah (Cantor).
mm.
Total length 2,315
Snout to vent 1,853
Tail 462
Length of head 45
Width of head 22
161465——17
258 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Variation.—Three islands are represented in the collection,
and the following differences in scale formule are noted. These
formule are compiled as averages from the table: Palawan,
2 aie
four specimens, ae 262; 103; Mindoro, two specimens, re
248.5, 108; Luzon (Baguio), two specimens, 19, 250.5; 92.5,
15
The Palawan forms have a larger number of ventral scales than
do those from the other two islands. I doubt whether these aver-
ages would be maintained with large series. The total averages
of ventrals and of subcaudals of the eight specimens are 256 and
101, respectively. Of the specimens listed by Boulenger the
averages are: Ventrals, 249; subcaudals, 101. Thus it appears
that the Philippine specimens have a slightly higher average of
scales. Boulenger lists four color varieties, but these may be
largely due to the various ages of the specimens. The young
are always more vividly marked than the adults. Peter’s
Ophiophagus fasciatus is probably founded on a young specimen.
The number of undivided subcaudals varies; the specimens have
a range of from 7 to 41, the one with the highest count being a
TABLE 54.—Measurements and scale counts of Naja hannah (Cantor).
No. | Locality. | Collector. | Sex. | Length. Tail. | ee
— Pe een ee | | ey es
| | | | | mm num.
| 727 | Mindoro ' co | 1,610 345 | 251
| 12| Palawan 2 | 2,378 ss 266 |
| Si oe COs cetcte seco tee zee fol | 2,315 462 | 267 |
14s SBapwlOhancoessconeteaekt oc sececancspeentis se oeassocs Ssesces c | 2,270 475 249
15 | Palawan fol 1, 955 465 | 251
| is ee do... 9 | 2,726 | 530 | 264
| 17 | Mindoro -- ' Marine Biological Expedition_ cs 2, 442 530 | 246 |
{eI PBap aig weer | Heal: Gallet ona se 3 2, 620 | 540 | 252
i eile - | ;
cod | Labials. Scale rows. | Undi- |
Sub- | vided
No | ae l = | sub- jE ostoes) Collection.
| dals. | Upper.| Lower.| Neck. | Body. | oat in|
eee eee -
727 | 112 7 | 8 19 15 41 3-4 | E. H. Taylor.
12 104 7 8 19 AB esessne 3 | Bureau of Science.
1B) 104 7 8 21 15 8 3 | Do.
14 90 aq-5 | 8 19 15 10 3 Do.
| 15 102 7 | 8 19 15 aL 3 | Do.
| 16 101 i 8 19 15 8 3 | Do.
| a7) 104 7 8 17 15 | 3) Do.
| 18 95 7| a| 19 15 33 | 3} Do.
® Abnormal.
NAJA 259
a
medium-sized specimen from Mindoro; this same specimen has
4 postoculars on the right side.
The variation in color and markings is small, save that the
narrow transverse bars are very dim or wanting in older speci-
mens, and the color edging the scales on the tail is quite black.
Remarks.—This snake grows to a large size in the Islands. A
specimen collected in Balabac by Mr. C. M. Weber measured 4.25
meters, which I believe is the largest recorded specimen. Unfor-
tunately its large bulk caused it to rot in the preserving fluid. It
is reported as being very common on Lubang Island, north of
Mindoro. I have not been able to verify this report. It prob-
ably occurs on all the larger islands. It is striking, however,
that I find no specimens recorded from the western Visayan
islands (Bohol, Cebu, Negros, and Panay). In fact, no cobras
of any sort have yet been recorded from those islands.
NAJA NAJA Linnzeus
The assemblage of subspecies now associated under this specific
name is so large that I have not attempted to give a synonymic
list of them. Synonymies for Philippine forms are given in the
treatment of the individual subspecies.
Key to the Philippine subspecies of Naja naja Linnzus.
a’. Seale rows on neck, 19 to 21; on body, 17 to 19; ventrals, 165 to 178;
subcaudals, 42 to 46. Black above with yellow reticulations or yellow
dots; a few yellow anterior ventrals, behind which ventrals are dense
| OLE Yo) caren enero Mery eee NPR rneten Slr eeRS OEE N. n. samarensis Peters (p. 259).
a’. Scale rows on neck, 21 to 23; on body, 19; ventrals, 178 to 186; sub-
caudals, 46 to 51. Black above and below with a yellowish V-shaped
mark; young dense black with few whitish bars.
N. n. miolepis (Boulenger) (p. 262).
a’. Scale rows on neck, 25; on body, 21 to 23; ventrals, 187 to 196; sub-
caudals, 39 to 47; uniform olive or olive brown; young, yellowish olive
with darker reticulations........ N. n. philippinensis subsp. nov. (p. 265).
NAJA NAJA SAMARENSIS Peters
Naja tripudians var. F’., part., GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858)
225.
Naja tripudians var. samarensis PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 690;
BoETTGcER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 116.
Naja tripudians GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1879) 78;
FIscHER, Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg 2 (1885) 81.
Naia samarensis BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 385.
Naja samarensis GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 266.
Description of species—(From No. 427, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao, June 25, 1913,
by E. H. Taylor.) Rostral one and two-fifths to one and three-
260 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
fifths times as wide as high, the portion visible from above about
one-fourth distance from frontal, sharply pointed behind, the
sutures with nasals and labials subequal; the suture between in-
ternasals much shorter than the length of the scales; prefrontals
a little broader than long, as long as or a little longer than inter-
nasals, the suture between them equal to the length of the scales;
frontal one-sixth longer than wide, wider than supraocular but
not quite so long, its length equal to its distance from rostral;
parietals large, longer than wide, followed by a series of some-
what enlarged occipital shields bordering parietals and tem-
porals; 2 nasals, posterior highest, appearing very narrow in a
lateral view; from an anterior view it appears larger than an-
terior; 1 preocular reaching down to near middle of eye; 3 post-
oculars, third well below eye; temporals 2 + 2; 7 upper labials,
third highest, reaching height of middle of eye, third and fourth
entering orbit, first 2 smallest; 8 lower labials, fourth and fifth
largest, 4 touching first pair of chin shields; anterior chin shields
much larger than posterior, which are separated from each other:
ventrals, 165; anal single; subcaudals, 46; scales smooth in 19
rows around neck, 17 rows around body; eye moderately large,
about half as long as snout.
Color in life-—Above a dark, slightly iridescent, brownish
black, with an indistinct yellowish netting, more prominent on
posterior part of body; only a part of skin between scales yellow-
ish; top of head olive-brown, sides of head and neck lighter, with
a dim lighter line extending some distance along sides; lower
part of upper labials, lower labials, chin, and first ten ventrals
yellowish; eleventh to sixty-sixth ventrals black at first, but
growing lighter toward end; ventrals behind these are yellowish,
mottled with darker blotches; a median darker line below tail.
Measurements of Naja naja samarensis Peters.
mm.
Total length 870
Snout to vent 725
Tail 145
Length of head 35
Width of head 21
Variation.—The six specimens in my collection from Mindanao,
do not vary greatly among themselves in scalation. The amount
and intensity of the dark coloring on the belly varies somewhat.
All the specimens have the first few ventrals (usually nine) yel-
lowish, although the color may cover only the first seven; after
these the ventrals are an intense black, which color may continue
back a third or more the length of body, growing gradually less
NAJA 261
intense and lighter. In the young the black may cover as few
as fifteen ventrals; also in the young the lighter line beginning
on the hood appears more prominent. In all the specimens there
is a small, lower labial inserted between the upper part of third
and fourth lower labials bordering mouth; in the specimen de-
scribed it is absent on one side. One specimen in the Bureau
of Science, collected in Samar, has much more yellow on body;
it is distributed in roundish spots on all the scales, the color rarely
covering the entire scale, but frequently spots on two or three
scales are confluent; the lateral light line is distinct in this adult
specimen, and it has nineteen rows of scales around the body.
The variation * in counts of scale rows on neck and body. and of
ventrals and subcaudals, may be represented by the following
formula: poe. 165 to 178; 42 to 50. Two specimens have two
undivided subcaudals; there is some variation in the relative
width and height of the rostral.
TABLE 55.—Ieasurements and scale counts of Naja naja samarensis Peters.
No. Locality. Collector. | nore “Length, |
6 See) Se =i
mm. |
yg 218 ||
2 | &)
g 810
J 870
o | 900
ye 339
R20) (Catbalozan,. Samari222s-25-2222222-MiGol (Cullen ==2s22c0c-3 akan hn S 9 1009
| & Sub- 5 - Scale rows.
Nise | taels |e teas |e es Collection,
eon | Body. Neck. |
Cee OEE) | ee: Se LROE TE on! fy | eee | pew oe on
| mm. | | |
23 45| 172 44 | 7) 8) a7! 19) B. H. Taylor.
24! 135] 172 46 | 7! Bi) iy 21| Do.
25 121 178 42 | mh 8 | 17 2 Do
26 145 165 46 uh 8 LT: 19 Do
; 2m | 145 172 45 7 8 17 19 Do
| 28 55 178 44 7 8 17 19 Do.
R20 156 175 43 7 | 8-9 19 | 21 Bureau of Science.
| ea eee
a Mutilated.
I do not believe that the differences here recorded warrant
giving this form specific designation while the other two forms,
* Combining the data recorded in the table with those in Boulenger’s Cat-
alogue, op. cit. 385.
262 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Naja naja miolepis and Naja naja philippinensis, are regarded
only as varieties, as Boulenger has treated them. It is certain
that all three should be regarded as distinct species if only Phil-
ippine material were to be considered, as two of the forms, miole-
pis and samarensis, appear to be isolated here, geographically,
while the third invades the restricted territories of the other two.
There appears to be no intergrading of any sort.
Remarks.—This cobra is probably confined to the eastern Vi-
sayan islands (Samar and Leyte) and Mindanao. It is common
in the Agusan Valley. The specimens in my collections were
found crawling in daytime in the forest or on the lawn about my
house. When discovered they made no effort to escape, but us-
ually stopped quiet; if disturbed they immediately raised their
heads and spread their hoods. I did not observe them eject
poison from their fangs, as is true of Naja naja philippinensis.
A specimen from Zamboanga kept alive in the Bureau of Sci-
ence has a very intrepid disposition and is disposed to put itself
on the defensive at the approach of anything. It readily takes
living frogs and snakes (Calamairia gervaisti) for food. Snakes,
lizards, and frogs probably form its food under natural condi-
tions.. The snake is deadly poisonous. Two large Berkshire
pigs kept on an agricultural farm at Bunawan succumbed to bites
of these snakes within a period of a few hours after being bitten.
Among the Manobosg the snake is called aguason and is greatly
feared. Several harmless snakes are also classed as aguason
because of similarity in color.
NAJA NAJA MIOLEPIS (Boulenger)
PLATE 32
Naia tripudians BOULENGER, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. VI 14 (1894) 84.
Naia tripudians var. miolepis BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus.
3 (1896) 884.
Naja naja miolepis GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sei. § A 4 (1909) 600;
§ D 6 (1911) 266; BArBour, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard Coll.
44 (1912) 136.
Description of species —(From No. 3, Bureau of Science col-
lection; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, 1908, by C. M. Weber.)
Rostral one and one-fifth times as wide as high, visible above,
the part visible triangular; internasals about as large as pre-
frontals, their greatest length along prefrontal suture, their
mutual suture less than half their length, narrowly in contact
with preocular; prefrontals wider than long, shorter than inter-
nasals; frontal one and one-fifth times as long as broad, and one
and a half times as wide as supraoculars, but equal in length,
NAJA . 263
slightly shorter than its distance to end of snout; parietals much
longer than wide; nostril vertical, between 2 nasals; a single small
preocular; 3 postoculars (2 on left side) ; 2 anterior temporals,
the lower nearly as large as parietals, narrowly separated from
mouth; 3 posterior temporals; the scales bordering parietals and
temporals slightly enlarged; 7 upper labials, third and fourth
entering eye, third not reaching the height of middle of eye;
Fic. 30. Naja naja miolepis (Boulenger) ; a, head, dorsal view; b, head, lateral view; c, chin;
x1,
labials in the following order of size: seventh, fifth, third, fourth,
sixth, first, and second; 8 lower labials, with a small scale inserted
between fourth and fifth bordering mouth (always present) ;
anterior chin shields longer and wider than posterior, which are
not separated; 4 labials touching first pair of chin shields; scales
smooth in 23 rows on neck, 19 around body; ventrals, 182; sub-
caudals, 46; anal single.
Color in alcohol—Bluish to brownish black on body dorsally,
and laterally slightly lighter below; the skin between the scales
lighter; on latter half of body several dim, V-shaped, lighter
bands cross body at distant intervals; head olive-brown, side of
head and chin yellowish. A yellowish brown band on side of
neck crossing anterior part.
Measurements of Naja naja miolepis (Boulenger).
mm.
Total length ; 1,227
Snout to vent 1,050
Tail 177
Length of head 36
Width of head 23
Variation.—The young are deep black with a series of about
12 yellowish bands about body continuing to tip of tail; these
264 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
are darker on belly, but are usually distinct; the anterior ones are
V-shaped on back; first 12 ventrals yellow; head yellow-brown,
with a dark area on frontal and parietals. Four of the six speci-
mens studied have only 2 preoculars on the left side and 3 on the
right; one specimen has this reversed, and the other has the same
number on each side. The average counts of scale rows on neck
and body, of ventral and subcaudal scales, may be expressed in
the following formula: ae: 178 to 186; 46 to 51. This, com-
one 21-23
bined with the recorded counts of Boulenger,* gives 17-19? 178
to 199; 45 to 51. The Borneo specimens have 17 scale rows on
body, while the Palawan forms have 19. There is a slightly
higher average of ventrals in the Borneo forms.
TABLE 56.—Measurements and scale counts of Naja naja miolepis
| | | Labials. | Scale rows. | |
(Boulenger) .
aati | | 7 .
| Sex | Viens
No. Locality. Collector. or Length.) Tail. ears
| age. | | ca
|
ir |
| | mim. | mm. | |
in Sad eal a warts oak ee ee Se ek Gan We | ¢ | 1180} 181! 180 |
Dine wad ou Se tee a atie aes Pie aed sn wea|iaties doses aeons) | o& | 1,075] 160) 184 |
3 | do Aowteassescsasaal) Gore [ely “20 177 | 182 |
lie | 186 |
60 | 178 |
35 | 186 |
|
| No. | Sub=_ | | —__, Post-
* ‘caudals. | | oculars. Collection.
Upper. | Lower. , Neck. | Body. |
Doe ae en re cee Ne aN
| | |
| 1 51 7 | 9 23 | 19 | 2-3 | Bureau of Science. |
Ree 48 7-8 | 9 | 21 | 19) 28 | Do. |
S 46 7 | 9 23 19} 23 Do.
| 4 41 78/89 23 | 19' 23] Do.
5 50 7 | 9 | 23 | 19 | 3| Do.
‘
49 | 7 | 9| 28 | 19; 28] Do.
Remarks.—This subspecies appears to be confined to Borneo
and Palawan, and probably the other islands of the Palawan
group. It is easily distinguishable from the other Philippine
forms by the white markings on the young, and the dark uniform
color of the adults. Griffin + states that the species is common
in Palawan.
* Op. cit. 384-385. y Philip. Journ. Sei. § A 4 (1909) 600.
NAJA 265
NAJA NAJA PHILIPPINENSIS subsp. nov.
Naia tripudians ceca, part., BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3
(1896) 883 (spec. o, highlands of Lepanto, N. Luzon).
Naja naja ceca GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 600; § D
6 (1911) 266.
Description of species —(From No. 7, Bureau of Science col-
lection; collected in Manila, by C. Canonizado.) (Adult fe-
male.) Rostral one and three-fifths times as long as broad, the
portion visible above less than one-fourth its distance from fron-
tal; internasals about same size as prefrontals, in contact with
preocular, the suture between them about half the length of the
scales; prefrontals as wide as long, their shortest sides bordering
frontal; latter one and one-fifth times as long as wide, its length
equal to its distance from rostral, a little wider, but shorter, than
supraocular ; parietals longer than wide; nostril between 2 nasals
and internasal; a preocular present; 3 postoculars; temporals
2+2; 7 upper labials, third and fourth entering eye, third
highest, not reaching level of middle of eye; 8 lower labials
(counting a small scale inserted between fourth and fifth labials) ;
anterior chin shields largest, touching 4 lower labials; posterior
chin shields separated from each other; ventrals, 190; subcaudals,
43; anal single; scales smooth, in 21 rows about body; 25 rows
around neck; eye more than half the length of snout.
Color in life —Above yellowish to olive-brown, becoming slight-
ly lighter on outer scale rows; below immaculate yellowish white
to cream; no markings of any sort evident.
Measurements of Naja naja philippinensis subsp. nov.
mm.
Total length 1,000
Snout to vent 860
Tail 140
Variation.—The young of this subspecies are dark brown to
black, reticulated with a heavy network of light olive-yellow in
distinct contrast; the head has a suggestion of darker markings;
the neck is lighter, with irregular series of small round or longi-
tudinal spots on each side; below, the belly is of a dirty light olive.
The scales behind parietals are usually more or less enlarged.
The variation of the scale counts is expressed in the following
formula: neck and body rows, arr ventrals, 177 to 191; sub-
caudals, 39 to 49. The average count is as follows: 5), 176, 44.
Specimens Nos. 463 to 470 recorded in the table were hatched
from eggs laid in the laboratory by specimen No. 481. The varia-
2°66 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
tions which obtain in this brood are striking; they are expressed
Q9_9OF
by the following formula: or, 177 to 191, 41 to 48; or an aver-
age ventral and subcaudal count of 184 and 44, respectively. The
23
scale formula of the mother is 191, 39. Three of the young
alles
have the posterior chin shields in contact.
Remarks.—The common Luzon cobra cannot be classed with
either Naja naja cxca, as Griffin and Boulenger have done, or
N. naja sputatrix, on the basis of either color or scale formula.
The average scale counts given by Boulenger for N. naja cxca
(exclusive of the two Javanese specimens and a specimen from
: au 193, 66; N. naja sputatrix 2, 176, 47. Naja
naja philippinensis approaches N. naja ceca in color, but varies
markedly in the seale formula; it approaches N. naja sputatria
in the scale formula, but varies markedly in color and markings.
Several of these snakes are kept at the Bureau of Science for the
purpose of extracting the venom from them for use in the man-
ufacture of antivenom serums.
In captivity some specimens take frogs and small snakes readily
for food; others refuse all food, starving themselves to death.
One female laid twelve eggs in the vivarium. These were re-
moved and buried in moist earth. After a period of incubation
of seven weeks the young emerged. The young snake on break-
ing the egg, stuck out its head and by various movements made
a burrow to the surface without emerging wholly from the egg.
Thus with the body still in the egg and the head at the surface
of the ground, it would remain for hours at a time unless dis-
turbed, at which times it would withdraw wholly within the egg
which still contained much liquor. On removing an egg and its
living contents from under the ground and placing it on the sur-
face, the young cobra would partially emerge and, with body
erect for a length of several centimeters and hood distended,
would hiss and strike at any object held near it. The young
snakes did not leave the eges voluntarily until after three or four
days. When this was done they immediately took refuge in a
small jar of water placed in the cage, their bodies wrapped to-
gether in the water in a mass and their snouts above the surface.
Here they were to be found for a period of from eight to ten days,
when they left the water and took refuge under small objects
where they began the process of shedding. They touched no food
during these early days of their life but did so as soon as the
shedding was completed.
Luzon) are
NAJA 267
TABLE 57.—Measurements and scale counts of Naja naja philippinensis
subsp. nov.
| | Age |
Collector, or | Length.) Tail.
| sex. | |
|
; mm. | mm.
| 481 | 1,115 | 182
| 463 | 245] 47
| 464 | 345 | 50
465 | 364 | 56
| 466 | 825} 42
| 467 86 | 48
| 468° 311) 40
| 469 ¢ | 320) 41
| 470 | | | ve | 340 | 45
482 | Pampanga, Luzon._-___-----..--- (GUCLR CR Oieaks5-eecceh ae sesh er ----) | 1,120 | 143
edo "| 850 | 110
| o | 1,145 | 150
\. 3 | 1,290 | 170
: -----| o | 1,455 | 195
7 | Maril aioe ere es ene eer GC. Canonizado)<<-s0s22.5<<.52- reed eee) | 1, 000 | 140
8 Pampanga, Luzon____-..-..- SA ATENTWalliamaek mote cee Boe aes | ye | 345! 50
Ohi Palawan cit. 2h at tan Seat WeGzeMe. Weber. 2.22 22c ri cacd soon i YO. | 840 | 118
el WaiSchultzen--22--u 6: bie eo decels eke || 990 | 125
Morse Pel, 1,200 | 160
_.| College of Agr
Ea Rea ae en age | eS Cov ai ee eee
if
i a ey wen a
| Labials. (2dchin, Scale rows.
' Ven- Sub- | | shields | 1
Now raise: Cas, |p se = Veepacs (oP ree Collection.
| | dals. Hee Teese rated. | Neck. | Body. |
= eae reels ean HID | I =— —_ oe
; 481 191 | 39 | 7 | 9 | Yes 23 21 | Bureau of Science.
463-180 43 | 7 8| No 23 21 Do.
464) 9197 48 | 7 9| No 25 21 Do.
465/188) 44 | 7 9| No 23/21 Do.
466 190 43 | 7 8| Yes | 28 | 21 Do.
467 199 45 | 7 9| Yes 25/ 21 Do.
468 181 45 7 9/| Yes 25 | 21 Do.
469 191 41 7 9| Yes 23 21 Do.
470188 7 9} No 23 21 Do.
482 183, +40 q 9} Yes 25 21 Do
483 1g8} 4 7 9| Yes 25 21 Do
434 1394 1 9! Yes 23 21 Do.
pan 3} 4g | 1 9! Yes 25) 21 Do
[ees 191} 46 1 9) Yes 25/21 ; Do |
7 190) 48 7 8| Yes | 28 21} Do
8 190 47 7 9) Yes | 25 23 Do. |
9 190 47 | 7 9| Yes | = 25 21 | Do. |
10 188 | 39 7 9| Yes 25 21 | Do. |
jes 188) 47 7| 9] Yes 25 21 Do.
pice ee 184 49 | 7 9, Yes 25 21 Do.
Pee 187 40 | 7 g| ves | 25 a1 | College of Agriculture. |
| ibe 186 40 | 7 | 9| Yes | 25 21| —~Do.
268 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
They were fed tadpoles or young frogs, which they would seize
and hold some time, and then begin the process of swallowing.
They frequently bit each other, and on two ocasions one was
found engaged in swallowing one of its brothers; one was with-
drawn that had been half swallowed, and it recovered. The
young lived for about two months when an epidemic appeared
among them and all died.
A young specimen, five days old, bit a guinea pig, which suc-
cumbed in twenty-two minutes. These snakes are’ poisonous,
and probably cause more deaths than any other snake in the
Philippines.
The subspecies is found very commonly in Luzon, and it occurs
in Palawan and probably in other large islands.
Genus HEMIBUNGARUS Peters
Elaps, part., DUMERIL and BriBRoN, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1191; GUN-
THER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 229; Jan, Rev. and Mag. Zool.
(1858) 516.
Brachyrhynchus F1Tzincrer, Syst. Rept. (1843) 28.
Callophis, part., GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1859) 81.
Hemibungarus PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1862) 637; BortTtcrrR, Ber.
Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 117; BouLENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus.
3 (1896) 892; Casto pE Evera, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895)
440;, STEJNEGER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. 58 (1907) 387.
“Maxillary bone extending forwards beyond the palatine, with
a pair of large grooved poison-fangs and one to three small solid
teeth; mandibular teeth subequal. Preefrontal bones in contact
with each other on the median line. Head small, not distinct
from neck; eye small, with round pupil; nostril between two
nasals; no loreal. Body cylindrical, much elongate; scales
smooth, without pits, in 13 or 15 rows; ventrals rounded. Tail
short; subcaudals in two rows.” (Boulenger.)
Key to the Philippine species of Hemibungarus Peters.
a’. Temporals 2 + 3; 6 upper labials.
b'. Second labial not touching preocular.
H. calligaster (Wiegmann) (p. 269).
b*. Second labial touching preocular..... H. meclungi sp. nov. (p. 272).
a’, No temporals; 7 upper labials, sixth forming a suture with parietal.
H. collaris (Schlegel) (p. 269).
The genus Hemibungarus is a small, compact one, with few
species. The three species given in the key are confined to the
Philippines. Another species, H. nigrescens, is found in India,
and two others, A. japonicus and H. boettgeri, are found on near-
by archipelagoes to the north. The snakes are poisonous. They
HEMIBUNGARUS 269
appear to be rather rare in the Philippines. The name oro-odto
(Bohol-Visayan) is applied to this snake. It is probable that
the names camamalo and palapal are also referable to this species.
HEMIBUNGARUS COLLARIS (Schlegel)
Elaps collaris SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1887) 448; Abbild. (1844)
187, pl. 46, figs. 10-11; Jan, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 114; Icon.
Gén. (1878) 43, pl. 1, fig. 1.
Elaps gastrodelus DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 2 (1854) 1212.
Hemibungarus collaris Borerrcrer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 117;
BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 393; Casto DE ELERA,
Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 440; Grirrin, Philip. Journ. Sci.
§ D 6 (1911) 266.
Description of species —(From Boulenger.) ‘‘Rostral broader
than deep, just visible from above; internasals shorter than the
prefrontals; frontal once and a half as long as broad, as long
as its distance from the rostral, as long as the parietals; one
pree- and two postoculars; seven upper labials, third and fourth
entering the eye, sixth largest and forming a suture with the
parietal; anterior chin-shields in contact with the symphysial
and with four lower labials; posterior chin-shields as long as the
anterior. Scales in 15 rows. Ventrals 228-230; anal divided;
subcaudals 12-22. Blackish above, barred black and red below;
a yellowish occipital collar.”
Measurements of Hemibungarws collaris (Schlegel).
mm.
Total length 430
Snout to vent 415
Tail 15
Remarks.—lI have seen no specimen of this snake. Obviously
it ig very rare, and none appears to have been taken in recent
years. The only definite locality known is Manila, recorded by
Jan. Only a few specimens are known. The species is deadly
poisonous.
HEMIBUNGARUS CALLIGASTER (Wiegmann)
PLATE 33, FIGS. 1 AND 2; PLATE 34, FIGS. 1 AND 2
Elaps calligaster WIEGMANN, Nova Acta Acad. Leop.-Carol. I 17 (1835.
258, pl. 20, fig. 2; DuMERIL and Bripron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1226;
GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 231; JAN, Icon. Gén. (1873) 48,
pl. 2, fig. 2; Rev. & Mag. Zool. (1859) 510; Prerers, Mon. Berl.
Ak. (1861) 689.
Callophis calligaster GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1859) 83.
Hemibungarus calligaster Mpyer, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1869) 213; MUL-
LER, III. Nacht. Cat. Herp. Samml. Basel Mus. (1883) 18; FISCHER,
270 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg 2 (1885) 81; Borrrcer, Ber. Senck.
Nat. Ges. (1886) 117; BouLENcER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896)
393; CAsTO DE EveraA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 440; GRIFFIN,
Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 266.
Hemibungarus gemianulis Peters, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1872) 587.
Callophis gemianulus MULLER, Verh. Nat. Ges. Basel 7 (1883) 289,
Hemibungarus gemmiannulis BoETTGER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886)
117; CASTO DE ELERA, Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 441.
Description of species —(From No. 231, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at Iloilo, Panay, 1914, by Archie L. Howard.)
Head not distinct from neck; rostral a little broader than deep,
narrowly visible above, forming its broadest suture with nasal;
internasals broader than deep, the suture between them about
half their width, bordering upper edge of nostril; prefrontals
broader than deep, the left forming a short suture with right
internasal, forming equal sutures with posterior nasal and upper
preocular; frontal nearly twice as long as wide, wider and longer
than supraoculars, longer than its distance from end of snout;
parietals much longer than frontal, nearly twice as long as wide,
touching upper postocular and 3 temporals; 2 nasals, anterior
twice as large as posterior, eee surrounding nostril; no lo-
real *; 2 preoculars, upper much the larger; eye small, not wider
than its distance from mouth; 2 postoculars, lower largest, tem-
porals 2+ 2+ 2, upper anterior touching both postoculars; 6
upper labials in the following order of size: fifth, sixth, third,
fourth, second, first; third and fourth entering eye; 7 lower la-
bials, first 4 in contact with anterior chin shields which are twice
as large as posterior pair; body scales in 15 longitudinal rows,
smooth, without apical pits, outer rows largest; ventrals, 197;
anal very wide, single; subcaudals, 20 pairs; body cylindrical,
tail short and thick, ending in a rather sharp-pointed scute.
Measurements of Hemibungarus calligaster (Wiegmann).
mm.
Total length 462
Snout to vent 427
Tail 35
Length of head 12
Width of head 8.5
Color in alcohol_—Above black-blue, traversed by 68 narrow,
dotted rows of yellowish white (red in life?) ; head blue-black,
the color extending down on side of head involvi ing eye, the entire
fourth and fifth labials, and the edges of their adjoining scales;
snout yellowish; chin cream, the color extending to SEDTOE nen
et It is probable that the second sal is really a loreal element.
HEMIBUNGARUS 271
porals, a black spot on fourth lower labial; tail flesh pink with 2
broad bluish bands, each divided by a very narrow light line, and
separated from each other by 7 transverse scale rows; belly
barred bluish black and cream (red in life).
Variation—The Bureau of Science collection contains seven
specimens ; among these very marked vayviation in color obtains in
specimens of different ages. The scale formule are rather uni-
form, with the exception of the wide range in ventral counts.
The ventrals vary between 197 and 257; the subcaudals, between
19 and 23.
TABLE 58.—Measurements and scale counts of Hemibungarus calligaster
(Wiegmann).
7 | _ S — = —= — = a al | Til
a
Penp Pee | | 4 z
| No. | Locality. Collector. ae ee : =
| | 3 | a} 2
| n yile >
to | F<, Pz | pares apa te a | anna — “at
mm. | mm
21 | Calauan, Laguna _.......----------- R.C. McGregor --.-..------.) ¢ | 625) 3 | 228
22 | Mount Banahao, Laguna M. L. Merritt___ 322 22.5 | 286
23 Samal, Bataan _-_--._-_---.---------- A... Gelestino\.<c-c22-csnassges 340 | 21 | 233
| 25] Montalban, Rizal-_..------.-..------ W. Schultze | 205 | 18 | 250
| 26 oars | 210 | 13.5 | 216
27: | Montalban, Rizalnc.6c.sneccsossesed|) Wi schultzelz scene -seemssee 493 | 30 251
| 28 | Los Bafios, Laguna-----------.------ | F. W. Foxworthy ----- s 415 23 «| 267
| 455 | 27 | 222
46235 | 197
|
_——— — — = Be Smear oe ss)
| . Labials. | | P |
| Be ths eter eee ean Seer |
| No. e Z 2 ao 8 | 3 3 Collection. |
| | 2) 2) £ | ge | bee] 3 | 8 |
| 3 a i} aR ra O's Ba S |
n P 4 <3] a oO a
21 21 6 7 8,4 4 a 2 Bureau of Science.
22 23 6 6 3,4 4 1 2 Do.
28 19 6 7 3,4 4 1 2 Do.
25 23 6 6-7 3,4 4 1 2 Do.
26 20 6 7 3,4 4 1 2 Do.
27 20 6 1: 3,4 4 2-1 2-1 Do.
} 28 19 6 7 3,4 4 1 2 Do.
eee 19 6 qT 3,4 4 al 2 College of Agriculture.
231 20 6 Ee 3,4 4 | 2 2 E. H. Taylor. i
! erence
The specimen here described is the only one that has 2 pre-
oculars, save one specimen that has 2 preoculars on one side.
In coloration the young are very different. No. 25, Bureau
of Science collection, is cream, with 29 dark brown bands on body
and 2 on tail, slightly narrower on the belly where they cover 2
or 3 ventrals, while on the back they cover 5 transverse scale rows ;
the head is yellow with a narrow band involving eyes, to mouth.
272 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
No. 22, Bureau of Science collection, is similar to No. 25 but has
23 black-brown bars on body, and 2 on tail; the dorsal part of
the light interspaces has a brownish wash and the brown bars
are darker on the edges which are bordered with lighter color;
ventrally the bars inclose an irregular lighter area. Nos. 23 and
28, Bureau of Science collection, have 24 and 27 dark bars, respec-
tively, but the light interspaces, except on tail, are a shade lighter
brown, bordered by narrow zigzag lighter lines; the lighter area
on the ventral bars is wanting in these two specimens. No. 26
is a very young specimen, which has its 24 black bars entirely
divided transversely by a narrow light line.
Remarks.—This species is found in all the eastern Philippines.
Specimens are known from Luzon (many localities) and southern
Mindanao. ‘The type locality is probably Manila.
HEMIBUNGARUS MCCLUNGI sp. nov.
PLATE 33, FIG. 3; PLATE 34, FIGS. 3 AND 4
Hemibungarus sp. GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 5 (1910) 214.
Type.—No. 24, Bureau of Science collection; collected on Po-
lillo Island, October, 1909, by C. Canonizado.
Description of type.—This species is allied to Hemibungarus
calligaster, but differs from it in having a shorter, stouter body,
a larger, more elongate head, the second labial in contact with
preocular, the black stripe across head absent, and a lower aver-
age of ventrals. Head distinct from neck; rostral narrowly visi-
ble from above, about as broad as deep; internasals broader than
deep, their mutual suture slightly more than half that between
prefrontals; latter broader than long, their suture with frontal
forming a straight transverse line; frontal five-sided, very much
wider and longer than supraoculars, the longest sides parallel;
parietals narrow, elongate; nostrils pierced in posterior part of
anterior nasal, which almost surrounds nostril; this followed by
a second nasal (or loreal) element; a single preocular ; 2 postocu-
lars; 2 large anterior temporals; 6 upper labials, second in con-
tact with preocular, third and fourth entering eye; 6 lower labials,
3 touching first chin shields, which are only slightly larger than
second pair; ventrals, 206; anal single; subcaudals, 21.
Color in alecohol.—Above cream white traversed by 22 purplish
bands about 6 scales wide; some of these bands are partially di-
vided transversely by a light streak, visible ventrally and some
what evident on sides; the first band on neck is broadest and
reaches forward to parietals; the band is broadly interrupted on
underside of neck, and is transversely divided dorsally; 2 bands
DOLIOPHIS 273
belong to tail; below, markings similar to dorsal markings except
that the bands are more brown than purple; a black spot is
present about eye.
Measurements of Hemibungarus mcclungi sp. nov.
mm,
Total length 190
Snout to vent 175
Tail 15
Width of head 5.25
Length of head 9.25
Remarks.—This species is closely allied to Hemibungarus calli-
gaster (Wiegmann). Table 59 shows the chief variations in
size and proportions.
TABLE 59.—Measurements and scale counts of Hemibungarus calligaster
(Wiegmann) and H. mceclungi sp. nov.
|
| Head. | | | |
| z F is ‘Fron-| Parie- Be-
| No. Species. Length. Tail. , ene ey Sj ee | tal | tween:
| Length. Width. Depth. en eyes. |
| | i | |
le Gukteahesas ee a ate ee =
| | | | | |
| mm, mm. mm. mm, mm. mm, | mm. | mm. |
| 25 HL. calligaster_.... 205; 13] 250; 8 46/38 | 19) 28] 28 |
23° [ence dO soon ee 346 20 233 9.5 5.25 | 8.75] 2.5 | 3.2 3
24 H. meclungi....-. 190 15 206 9.25 | 5.25) 4 | 2.6) B24) BEBE |
Griffin failed to classify the specimen, but remarks ‘‘said to be
the young of H. calligaster (Wiegmann). The type is a young
specimen, but the description will enable anyone to recognize the
adult. This is another species for the more or less distinctive
fauna of Polillo.
Genus DOLIOPHIS Girard
Elaps, part., SCHNEIDER, Hist. Amph. 2 (1801) 289, WaGLrER, Syst.
Amph. (1830) 193; SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 485; DummrRIL
and Bispron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1191; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes
(1858) 229; JAN, Rev. & Mag. Zool. (1858) 4516.
Maticora GRaAy, Ill. Ind. Zool. (1834) 2.
Doliophis Girarp, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1857) 182;
U. S. Expl. Exp., Herp. (1858) 175; BouLENGER, Cat. Rept. Brit.
Mus. 3 (1896) 399. :
Helminthoelaps, part., JAN, Rev. & Mag. Zool. (1858) 518.
Callophis, part., GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1859) 81; PE-
TERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1862) 636; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India
(1864) 346; Meyer, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1869) 211; Proc. Zool. Soc. Lon-
don (1870) 368; REINHARDT, Vid. Meddel. (1869) 117; BorETTGER,
Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 117; Castro pE Evera, Cat. Fauna
Filipinas 1 (1895) 441.
Adeniophis Peters, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1871) 578; Meyer, Sitzb. Ak.
Berl. (1886) 614; BortTTcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 117;
161465——-18
274 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
BouLENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 386; CASTO DE ELERa,
Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 1895) 441.
Maxillary extending forward beyond palatine, with a pair of
large grooved poison fangs but no other teeth; mandibular teeth
subequal; prefrontal bones in contact with each other on median
line; head small, not distinct from neck; eye small with round
pupil; nostril between 2 nasals; no loreal; body subcylindrical,
elongate; scales smooth, without pits, in 13 rows; ventrals
rounded; tail short; subcaudals in 2 rows; poison glands elongate,
extending far into body cavity, gradually thickening, and ter-
minating in a club-shaped end.
Key to the Philippine species of Doliophis Girard.*
w. Eye about half as long as its distance from mouth, frontal as long
as, or a little shorter than, its distance from end of snout.
D. philippinus (Gtinther) (p. 277).
a2. Eye much more than half as long as its distance from mouth; frontal
as long as its distance from rostral...... D. bilineatus (Peters) (p. 274).
The genus is a comparatively small one, comprising only four
species. It is distributed from Burma and Cochin China through
the Malay Peninsula into the East Indian Archipelago, as far
as Celebes. Two species are found in the Philippines which
appear to be confined to the Archipelago. Doliophis bilineatus
appears to be confined to Palawan, the Calamian Islands, Balabace,
and Mindanao. The other, D. philippinus, occurs over the east-
ern part of the Islands, specimens being recorded from Luzon
and Mindanao.
These species are both small, and are usually brightly colored
on the belly with black and yellow or red bars. The tail has broad
black and red rings. The snakes are poisonous, but the extent
of the deadliness of the poison is not known. It is probable that
it is quite as deadly as that of the other Elapine snakes, but the
smaller size, with the consequent reduced size of the fangs, prob-
ably makes these snakes harmless to man under ordinary circum-
stances. Doliophis bilineatus is a common snake in Palawan,
but D. philippinus appears to be extremely rare everywhere.
DOLIOPHI!IS BILINEATUS (Peters)
PLATE 34, FIGS. 5 AND 6; PLATE 35, FIG. 3
Callophis bilineatus PETERS, Sitz. Ber. Ges. Nat. Fr. Berlin (1881)
109; Borrreer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 117.
* Boulenger, Catalogue, states that the two genera Doliophis and Callo
phis ave the same, save that in the former the poison glands extend along
the sides of the body for one-third of the length, terminating in club
shaped ends in front of the heart. Heart shifted very far back.
DOLIOPHIS 275
Adeniophis bilineatus BouLENGER, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. VI 14,
(1894) 84; Bortrcer, Abh. Mus. Dresden 7 (1894-95) 5.
Doliophis bilineatus BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 404;
GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 600; § D 6 (1911) 266.
Description of species.—(From No. 135, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected on Palawan, 1913, by C. M. Weber.) (Adult
male.) Head not distinct from neck or body, somewhat fiat-
tened; rostral small, barely visible from above, about as high as
wide; suture with first labial very short, that with nasal about
twice as long as that with internasal; latter small, bordering
nostril above, very much wider than deep, pointed laterally above
nostril; prefrontals large, two and a half times as long as inter-
nasals, about as wide as deep, not touching labials; frontal a
little longer than broad, narrowed rapidly behind to a point, much
shorter than its distance from end of snout, about equal to its
distance from rostral; parietals longer than wide, longer than
frontal but of nearly equal width, in contact with only the upper
postocular; nostril large, pierced between 2 nasals, with inter-
nasal forming part of upper rim; anterior nasal largest, widest
where it borders rostral, tapering toward nostril; posterior very
much smaller, separating prefrontal from labial; loreal absent; 1
preocular ; supraocular longer than wide, its length less than that
of frontal but extending farther forward; 2 postoculars, subequal
in size; temporals 1 -++ 2, both very large, anterior touching both
postoculars; 6 upper labials, third and fourth entering eye, sixth
and third largest; 5 lower labials, fifth narrowed to a point; 2
subequal pairs of chin shields, first bordered by 4 labials; mental
small, half as wide as rostral; scales in 13 rows, smooth, without
apical pits; ventrals, 249; anal entire; subcaudals, 30; eye small,
about twice the diameter of nostril, its vertical diameter equal
to, or a little less than, its distance from mouth.
Color in alcohol.—A large, median, black stripe from frontal
to tail, covering three whole rows and two half rows of scales;
behind supraocular begins a white line, covering two half rows
of scales, extending to tail; behind eye a second black stripe
begins and continues to tail, one whole and two half scales wide;
below this, a white line one and a half scales wide; toward latter
part of body there is a dotted line along the middle of the outer
scale row; anteriorly the two black stripes merge in a band of
black crossing head, involving the eyes but not reaching the
mouth; a whitish band (red in life) in front of this; rostral dark;
a white area (reddish in life) on each upper labial; ventrals with
alternate bars of yellowish white and black, each bar two or three
scales wide; the black encircles body at anus; chin with a dark
276
SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
area in mental groove, and a spot on fourth lower labial; three
broad pinkish bands, separated by narrow black bands, encircle
tail; scute on extreme tip, pink.
Measurements of Doliophis bilineatus (Peters).
Total length
Snout to vent
Tail
Length of head
mm.
335
305
30
10
Variation.—Not a great deal of variation is evident in this
species save in the ventral and the subcaudal counts; the table
shows this variation in the specimens examined.
TABLE 60.—Measurements and scale counts of Doliophis bilineatus (Peters).
|
No. | Locality. | Collector. Sex. hope Tail. | Mitr
| eee ese ale CE AL
| | | mm, mm. |
681 | Iwahig, Palawan -.-.-.----------- C. M. Weber____.-.--- c | 475 | 40) 247
GEO SIS oe ie Pace i ce gan tee o | 450 31) 252
| | @ | 450] 38] 264
¢ | 450) 35] 261
| 9 | 425| 29| 278
| g 475, 28) 275
@ | 440; 925} 278
g@ | 490 30 283
J es | 445, 35 | 260
949 |. do... sess re ete m det ee mand woul o | 885 32| 254
136) SP alawanieccussewe..eect eucwee uee C. M. Weber --_-___.-- cg | 335 30 | 249
eee PER GR OBE aan Serene ee AK Unknown 22scc22cstae g | 478 | 30 | 283
rae — oI. a al Cs eee
Sub- Labi
No. | eau” | Anals. aaa eee Nabe enter” Scale Cottecton.
ee a a
631 | 29 | 1 1 2 1-+2 6 3,4 13. Bureau of Science.
660 21 | 1} 1) 2] ae) 6} 4) owl Ce.
662 30 | i 1 2! 1+2 6 3,4 18 Do.
663) 30 | 1} 1] 21 148 6} 3,4 13 Do.
664 23 1 1 Oye ado 6 3.4 13 Do.
665 23 1| 1; Qn Ase 6 3,4 | 13 | Do.
681 (4) | 1} ast 2 142 6 3,4 13 | Do.
901 25 | 1 | 1} 2! 1+2| 6 3.4 13 | Do.
920 28 | 1 1 2) 1+2 6 3,4 13 Do.
949 28 | 1| 1| an Male er 6 3,4 | 13 Do.
135 30 | al | 1| 2 Te? 6 3.4 13 | E. H. Taylor.
eae 24 | 1| 1 | 2) ate] 53,4 13 | Santo Tomis.
* Mutilated.
ry -
The ventral average for males (seven specimens) 252; the sub-
caudal, 29.4; for females (five specimens) ventrals, 276: sub-
caudals, 24, making an average of 24 more ventrals and 5.4 les
’
S$
DOLIOPHIS O77
subcaudals in females; the body measurements also vary, the tail
in the females being shorter, and the body longer, than those in
equal-sized males.
The color varies from black to reddish brown above; below,
from yellow orange to red. The spot on the head is reddish.
The dotted line on the outer row of scales may be present or
absent. :
Two other species, nonpoisonous, occurring in Palawan have
practically the same general coloration as the species above.
These are Polyodontophis bivittatus and Dryocalamus philippinus.
These two species may be readily recognized by the long slender
tail and the absence of markings on belly. In Busuanga Dolio-
phis bilineatus is called odto-odto or oro-odto and is regarded as
being deadly poisonous. These names are also applied to the
two harmless snakes mentioned above.
When disturbed or injured the snake turns up the end of its
tail showing the brilliant red markings on the underside of the
tail, and then writhes about, sometimes jumping, throwing the
body from the ground, sometimes turning over on its back and
continuing its aimless gyrations.
The species is known from Busuanga, Palawan, and Balabac in
the Palawan Group, where it appears common.
Boulenger reports a specimen from Mindanao. Certainly it
is rare in the last-mentioned place. It is confined to the Philip-
pines.
DOLIOPHIS PHILIPPINUS (Giinther)
PLATE 35, FIGS. 1 AND 2
Elaps intestinalis var. GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 230.
Callophis intestinalis GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1859) 82, pl. 16 fig. A.
Callophis intestinalis var. philippinw GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India
(1864) 349.
Adeniophis philippinus Mryrr, Sitzb. Ber. Ak. Wiss. Berlin 36 (1886)
614; BoETTGER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 117; CAsSTO DE ELERA,
Cat. Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 441.
Doliophis philippinus BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896)
404; GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 266; TAyLor, Philip.
Journ. Sci. § D 13 (1918) 261.
Description of species.— (From No. 54, E. H. Taylor collection;
collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao, November 12, 1912, by
E. H. Taylor.) (Adult male.) Head small, not distinct from
neck; rostral wider than deep, the portion visible from above a
mere line, forming its narrowest suture with labial; internasals
less than one-third the size of prefrontals, their mutual suture
shortest; prefrontals in contact with posterior nasal and the
278 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
elongate preocular; frontal small, not twice as wide as supra-
ocular, three-fourths as wide as long, nearly triangular, not ag
long as its distance from end of snout; parietals longer than fron-
tal, slightly narrower; 2 nasals, the anterior largest; no loreal;
preocular large, much longer than wide; supraoculars about as
wide as long; 2 small postoculars, the superior largest; temporals
1 + 2, anterior large, followed by one of equal size, and a smaller
one below; 6 upper labials, third and fourth entering eye; labials
in the following order of size: sixth, third, fifth, fourth, second,
first; 6 lower labials, 4 touching anterior chin shields; eye
small, about hali as long as its distance from mouth; 2 pairs of
chin shields, subequal in length; scales in 13 smooth rows, without
apical pits; ventrals, 245; anal single; subcaudals, 25; tail short.
Color in lufe-—Above a dark yellowish brown, each scale edged
with darker ; a median darker line, beginning on neck, continuing
the length of body, broken occasionally by a yellowish spot; on
either side of this darker median line are 2 lighter stripes, below
which the ground color breaks into bands which encircle belly;
these narrow ventrally and number 43 on body, with 2 on tail;
below, they are dark brown to black, covering 4 or 5 ventral
scales, and are separated by orange-colored bands, which cover
2 or 3 ventral scales but narrow on sides; they extend usually to
fourth row of scales; the irregular series of dim light spots on
the median dorsal dark line are between the ends of the light
abdominal bands; head brown, with indistinct darker shading;
darker between eyes and on tip of snout; a black spot in the mid-
dle of sixth labial; chin variously mottled with brown and light;
first labials with light spots; a white line crosses sixth labial;
chin spotted with dark; bands under tail a brilliant scarlet, much
wider than those on belly, almost surrounding tail.
Measurements of Doliophis philippinus (Gunther).
mm.
Total length 625
Snout to vent 576
Tail 49
Width of head 9.5
Length of head 13.5
Variation.—As compared with the type, the described specimen
differs in having the frontal somewhat shorter than its distance
from end of snout; the ventrals are very much more numerous
than in the type, the latter having only 218, while our specimen
has 245; the number of subcaudals is nearly equal. The known
range of ventrals is 218 to 255; of subcaudals, 25 to 27.
DOLIOPHIS 279
The second Bunawan specimen, No. 53, E. H. Taylor collection,
is much darker brown, and the bands on the belly, 38 in number,
are black. In the Manila specimen the median dark line is broken
regularly by the yellowish longitudinal spots, which are about one-
third as long as the intervening dark areas. There are 41 bands
on the belly.
A young specimen captured near Zamboanga, Mindanao, has
only three labials touching the anterior chin shields, and varies
markedly from the usual markings. The head is yellow, a black
spot involving the eye, and there is a spot on the sixth labial.
Instead of the median dark line, broken by a light spot, there is
a light line broken by short, black, rectangular spots, less than
half the length of the intervening light areas; on either side of
the median line is a dark brown, darker-edged stripe beginning
at the eye and continuing regularly and unbroken to the tail;
the belly is barred with bands of black and yellow, the color reach-
ing laterally up to the fourth scale row; the black bars are wider
laterally, covering two or three ventral scales; there are a few
spots on the chin; the tail is reddish below, with two narrow
black bars.
TABLE 61.—Measurements and scale counts of Doliophis philippinus
(Giinther) .
met Se a ee Ree
| | Sex |
No. | Locality. | Collector. | or Length. |
| | | age.
i
a aaa |
| | mm,
53 | Bunawan, Agusan __.__.._____.____-.------- | E. H. Taylor__.__.--- \ g | 545 |
Fv erat Eee et ed rd es on be ea te Manes Se ee ean ae | é 626
Wis | Manila 2222.38 ee oon ee | Mrs. Graham-_-__.----| 2 | 440
R422). Zamboan paves. seuessae-o ce a3 econ eee | B.A. Taylors ccwssees | yg | 180
| Labiats |
Labials
7 Subcau-| Upper | Scale ‘
No. Tail. pee dals. labials. | por Nae Collection.
—— is el |e pal iamee Ne eal| ee eee eee!
| | | |
mm. | | | |
53 40 | 255 | 27 6 3,4 13 | E. H. Taylor.
54 49 245 25 6 3,4 13 | Do.
711 30 261 26 6 3,4 13 | Bureau of Science.
R 422 14 244 27 6 | 3,4 13 | Do.
Remarks.—The type, a male specimen, was collected in the
Philippines by H. Cuming, the exact locality being no longer
known. In habits the species is very similar to its congener,
Doliophis bilineatus, and the curious habits recorded under that
species have also been observed in this species. It is a much
280) SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
rarer form. The specimens I collected in Mindanao were found
under rotting logs; when exposed to the light they lay quiet,
making no endeavor to escape; when disturbed they began their
aimless writhing and jumping. Known from Bunawan, Zam-
boanga, Mindanao, and Luzon. The species appears to be con-
fined to the Philippines.
AMBLYCEPHALIDA
Amblycephalide GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 324; BoULENGER,
Fauna Brit. India, Rept. (1890) 414; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3
(1896) 438.
“Facial bones slightly movable; preefrontal not in contact with
nasal; ectopterygoid (transpalatine) present; pterygoid short,
not extending to quadrate or mandible; supratemporal rudimen-
tary ; maxillary horizontal, parallel with or converging posteriorly
towards the palatine. Mandible without coronoid bone. Solid
teeth in both jaws.
“The hypapophyses disappear in the anterior third of the dorsal
vertebral column.” (Bouwlenger.)
The family contains five genera, two of which are confined to
southeastern Asia and the Malay Archipelago, and three are con-
fined to Central and South America. Not poisonous. Haplo-
peltura is the only Philippine genus.
Genus HAPLOPELTURA Boulenger
Dipsas, part., SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 257.
Aplopeltura DUMERIL and BIBRON, Mem. Ac. Sci. 23 (1853) 463; Erp.
Gén. 7 (1854) 444.
Amblycephalus GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes (1858) 184; JAN, Elenco
Sist. Ofid. (1863) 100; GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 325;
BortTcer, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 115; CAsTo DE ELmrA, Cat.
Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 438.
Haplopeltwra BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 439.
“Maxillary bone very short, deep, with five subequal teeth;
maxillary and mandibular teeth decreasing in size posteriorly.
Head distinct from neck; eye large, with vertical pupil; nasal
entire. Body strongly compressed; scales smooth, without pits,
oblique, in 13 rows, vertebral row strongly enlarged; ventrals
rounded. Tail moderate; subcaudals single.” (Boulenger.)
The genus contains a single species, which has a wide distribu-
tion from the Malay Peninsula throughout the Malay Archipelago.
HAPLOPELTURA BOA (Boie)
PLATE 34, FIGS. 7 To 9
Amblycephalus boa Bor, Isis (1828) 1054; GUNTHER, Cat. Col. Snakes
(1858) 184; Rept. Brit. India (1864) 325; JAN, Icon. Gén. (1870)
HAPLOPELTURA 281
387, pl. 3, fig. 2; MopicGLiaAn1, Ann. Mus. Genova, II 7 (1889) 120;
FIscHER, Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg 2 (1885) 81; BorTrcrr, Ber.
Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 115; CASTO DE ELmrA, Cat. Fauna Fili-
pinas 1 (1895) 488.
Dipsas boa SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 284, pl. 11, figs. 29, 30;
CANTOR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 78, pl. 40, fig. 3.
Aplopeltura boa DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 444.
Haplopeltura boa BoettcEr, Ber. Offenb. Ver. Nat. (1892) 134; Bou-
LENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 439; GRIFFIN, Philip.
Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 267.
Description of species—(From No. 165, E. H. Taylor collec-
tion; collected at Bunawan, Agusan, Mindanao, September 29,
1912, by E. H. Taylor.) (Adult female.) Head short and deep;
rostral very narrow, nearly twice as high as wide, forming its
longest suture with nasal, just visible from above; sutures with
internasals smallest ; internasals twice as broad as long, in contact
with highest loreal, forming its shortest suture with it; sutures
with prefrontals and nasals subequal; prefrontals not as wide as
internasals, but longer and larger; prefrontal suture shorter than
that between internasals; frontal very large, one and two-thirds
times to twice as long as broad, narrowed in the middle, longer
than parietals, and much longer than its distance from end of
snout, not twice as wide as supraoculars, in contact with upper
preocular ; parietals but little longer than wide, somewhat broken
up behind, followed by several, somewhat enlarged, occipital
shields; nasal single, in contact with 2 labials and 3 loreals; latter
superimposed, upper nearly square, largest, lower longest, not
entering eye, in contact with 2 labials; 2 preoculars, upper
largest; 4 suboculars (3 on left side) in a row, continuous with
preoculars; no postoculars; supraoculars elongate, extending
above and behind eye, nearly half surrounding it; temporals
3 + 3; 9 upper labials, none entering eye; 12 lower labials; men-
tal small with first 2 pairs of labials in contact behind it; the
usual chin shields are replaced by 3 unequal pairs of broad
plates, filling all the space between labials and first ventrals; the
usual groove is missing on chin; eye very large, equal or very
nearly equal to its distance from end of snout, greater than its
distance from mouth; head short, narrow, and very thick, distinct
from neck, with 2 rather prominent occipital knobs; scales in 13
rows, the median row enlarged, and an enlarged outer row; tail
prehensile, sharply pointed; body much compressed; ventrals,
156; anal single; subcaudals, 104; tail narrows very greatly
immediately behind anus.
Color in life —Above yellowish brown of varying shades, with
large, irregular, darker and lighter blotches; small black dots
282 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
scattered over body; a darker area from occipital region to fron-
tal; remaining part of head a dim reddish yellow color, darkly
powdered with brown; a broad dark line from eye to mouth, with
a creamy yellow spot before and behind it, covered with dark
minute spots of brown; a light area on temporal region; rostral
dark; mental brownish; chin and throat ight cream, powdered
sparsely with brown.
Measurements of Haplopeltura boa (Boie).
mm
Total length : 617
Tail 200
Head width 11
Head length aus
Variation—There is marked variation in the number of
ventrals and subcaudals. Boulenger * records the following
range: ventrals, 148 to 170; subcaudals, 88 to 120. This range
does not seem to be due to sex variation, as is the case in many
species.
TABLE 62.—Measurements and scale counts of Haplopeltura boa (Boie).
| legen ae hes
| s igen ere
No. Locality. | Collector. | “ ee eal ieee | 2d | 4
| o o 3 o | 30 &
eee | SC soe le aes Ee
| | | | mm. mm, | |
163 | Bunawan, Agusan ________- Bey Taylor 2 kee of 698 | 240 156 | 106 | 1
arte meee nt | o& | 687) 225) 156, 108] 1
post he eerie @ | 617! 200) 166 | a i
Se a ae eer leweeeds jee 121
ee aps ee i a
Se' gsi] Collecti
| 25 x | Ba 8 | 10. ction.
pecine feels
| |
4 3 13 E. H. Taylor.
4 3} 18 | Do.
3-4 | 3 13 | Do.
4 | 3 | 13 | Bureau of Science.
" Badly mutilated.
Remarks.—This snake has remarkable protective coloration
and lives for the most part about dead trees. All specimens I
have taken were found in such localities. On being disturbed
they would fall to the ground where they would stiffen so as to
appear like sticks, and could be picked up, still somewhat rigid.
Their imitation of a stick is especially good, since the coloration
has the appearance of lichens on dead wood.
TRIMERESURUS 283
Known from eastern Mindanao, Palawan, and Balabac, in the
Philippines. Also known from Malay Peninsula, Java, and
Borneo. It appears to have been collected in the Islands for the
nrst time by Cuming, 1834-40.
CROTALIDA
Maxillary vertically erectile, perpendicular to the ectoptery-
goid: pterygoid reaching quadrate or mandible; equipped with
large, curved, hollow fangs; a deep pit in maxillary, rep-
resented externally by a blind sac. Poison gland confined to
head. Deadly poisonous.
A single genus of this family is represented in the Philippines.
Genus TRIMERESURUS Lacépéde *
Lachesis DAUDIN, Hist. Rept. (1803) 349; Wac Ler, Syst. Amph.
(1830) 175; Gray, Zool. Misc. (1842) 50; Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849)
13; DUMERIL and BIBRON, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1488; PETERS, Mon.
Berl. Ak. (1862) 673; JAN, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 124; Bovu-
LENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 529.
Trimeresurus, part., LACEPEDE, Ann. Mus. 4 (1804) 209
Tropidolemus WAGLER, Syst. Amph. (1830) 175; DUMERIL and Brpron,
Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1523.
Trigonocephalus OPPEL, Ordn. Rept. (1811) 50; PreTers, Mon. Berl.
Ak. (1862) 672.
Trimeresurus GRAY, Zool. Misc. (1842) 50; Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849)
18; Peters, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1862) 672.
Megera WAGLER, Syst. Amph. (1830) 174; Gray, Zool. Mise. (1842)
49; Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 11; Prrers, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1862)
671.
Parias GRAY, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 11.
Bothrops WAGLER, in Spix, Serp. Bras. (1824) 50.
“Upper surface of head covered with scales or small shields.
Body cylindrical or compressed; scales smooth or keeled, with
or without apical pits. Tail moderate or short; subcaudals single
or in two rows.” (Boulenger.)
Southeastern Asia, Malaysia, Central America, and South
America. Snakes of this genus are commonly known as pit
vipers. They are deadly poisonous.
Key to the Philippine species of Trimeresurus Lacépede.
a. Head scales smooth.
b*. Supraocular narrow.
c’. Uniform yellow, with dark yellow lateral streak.
T. megregori Taylor (p. 284).
c. Tail purplish brown, with or without small yellowish dorsal spots;
no lateral yellow or white stripe; tail dark, like body.
T. halieus Griffin (p. 286).
*The synonymy refers chiefly to designation of Philippine forms.
284 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
c’. Green or bluish above with or without a series of brown spots;
a lateral whitish yellow line; ventrals, 170 to 187; tail light
COOKE Cie teee saad Ain deena bees T. flavomaculatus (Gray) (p. 288),
c'. Above green, a yellow line below eye; a lateral yellow stripe;
tail colored like rest of body; ventrals, 145 to 170.
T. gramineus (Shaw) (p. 290).
b*. Supraocular large. Ventrals, 187 to 203; subcaudals, 66 to 82; tail
Nis) oh ca 610) (0) ae Ree oR CNet RU RPP T. schultzei Griffin (p. 292).
a’. Upper head scales keeled; gular scales keeled; body scales keeled.
b'. Seale rows, 21 to 25; 10 to 15 scale rows between supraoculars,
T. wagleri (Boie) (p. 296).
b*. Seale rows, 19; 7 scales between supraoculars.
T. philippensis Gray (p. 295).
TRIMERESURUS MCGREGORI Taylor
Trimeresurus megregori TAYLOR, Philip. Journ. Sci. 14 (1919) 110.
Description of species.—(From the type, No. 748, Bureau of
Science collection; collected on Batan Island, Batanes, lying
between Luzon and Formosa, June 12, 1907, by Richard C,
McGregor.) Rostral a little
wider than high, slightly nar-
narrow line, bordered behind by
a rectangular scale, distinctly
enlarged, which separates the 2
much-enlarged supranasals; lat-
ter not or barely in contact with
rostral, separated from anterior
supraocular by 3 (4 on right
side) scales; 2 enlarged supra-
oculars, followed by 1 or 2 small
scales above eye; nasal single,
large, triangular, visible above
as a narrow line, the nostril,
which is vertically oval, pierced
near lower border; canthus ros-
tralis sharp, formed by edge of
nasal, the narrow elongate loreal
following nasal and superior pre-
ocular; facial pit surrounded by
Fic. 381. Trimeresurus megregori Taylor; Second labial, which forms an-
hte dai vow’ hed, cater WNI0r border of pit, and by
view: X 1, middle and lower preoculars,
which are much elongated; 3 preoculars; a narrow elongate
subocular, as long as orbit; 2 or 3 postoculars; 10 supralabials,
be)
TRIMERESURUS 285
first small, triangular, narrowly in contact with rostral; second
high, reaching almost to canthus rostralis; third much the largest,
broadly in contact with subocular; fourth and fifth scales each
separated from subocular by a single scale; temporal scales dis-
tinctly enlarged, larger than or as large as posterior labials;
mental broadly triangular, wider than rostral; 11 lower labials,
first, seventh, and eighth largest; a pair of large chin shields,
much longer than wide, broadly in contact, bordered by 3 labials;
5 pairs of scales between chin shields and first ventral; 28 scales
from angles of mouth across occiput; 13 scales between supra-
oculars; 29 scale rows on neck (at seventh ventral) ; 21 rows
on body; ventrals, 175; subcaudals, 56; anal single; temporal
scales. perfectly smooth; body scales slightly keeled on the 8 or
10 median rows; head rather angular, flattened above, and de-
pressed in supraocular region; tail prehensile.
Color in life—Above, bright yellow with a darker yellow
lateral streak (in alcohol entire snake almost paper white with
practically no trace of marking) ; tail with a few small, reddish
brown spots near tip.
Measurements of type and cotype of Trimeresurus megregori Taylor.
Type. Cotype.
mm. mm.
Total length 865 702
Tail 120 100
Head width 25 25
Head length 36 33
Eye to end of snout 12 9.2
Eye to mouth 6 5
Supraocular width 16 14
Length of eye 4.5 4
Width of eye 3.2 2.8
Variation.—A second specimen from the same locality shows
the following variations. The scale counts are as follows:
ventrals, 179; subcaudals, 59; scale rows on neck (at seventh
ventral), 29; body, 21; scales between eyes, 13; upper labials,
11-10; lower labials, 12; 3 scales behind supranasals bordering
rostral. On the right side, the third labial does not touch sub-
oculars; the lateral stripe covers one whole and a half scale rows.
Remarks.—This species belongs to the Trimeresurus gram-
imeus (Shaw) group, which includes 7. favomaculatus and T. ha-
lieus of the Philippines. It is differentiated from the other spe-
cies, however, by the striking color with no dark markings, the
larger number of scales on snout and supraocular region, and the
larger unkeeled temporals; the supranasals are larger and more
clearly differentiated. Mr. McGregor, its discoverer, and for
286 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
whom it has been named, states that it is not rare on Batan
Island. In a memorandum dated June 12, 1907, he states the
following:
Our party went to the summit of the mountain. On the return a
large yellow snake was found resting at about 2 meters from the ground
coiled on some leaves that had lodged among the thick stems of a kind of
large grass.
The snake was struck with an alpen-stock and fell to the ground. In
attempting to put a string on its neck I was scratched by the fangs,
between the last two joints of my thumb. Mr. H. G. Ferguson immediately
made several cuts across the wound with a pocket knife and tied a string
around the thumb. My hand and forearm were swollen by evening. The
swelling subsided within a couple of days. There was very little pain,
and no further trouble was experienced.
TRIMERESURUS HALIEUS Griffin*
Trimerisurus halieus GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 5 (1910) 214
(Trimerisurus err. typ.) § D 6 (1911) 267.
Description of species —(From No. 772, Bureau of Science
collection; collected on Polillo, October 1, 1909, by C. Canoni-
zado). Head broadly triangular; canthus rostralis rather
rounding; rostral broader than high, bordered behind by 2 inter-
nasal scales; supranasals somewhat enlarged; nasal irregular,
undivided, a small scale between nasal and first 2 labials; first
labial ‘small, triangular; second high, entering pit and forming
its anterior border, in contact with the elongate canthal scale
which lies between the 2 superior preoculars and with the nasal;
pit surrounded by 2 preoculars and first labial; supraocular en-
larged, irregular in shape; a narrow elongate subocular, touch-
ing inferior preocular and third and fourth labials (third only on
left side) ; separated from other labials by a single row of scales;
3 preoculars, 3 postoculars; 10 upper labials, 12 lower labials;
3 labials border the single pair of chin shields: mental triangular,
pointed behind; 12 scales between supraoculars; 28 scales across
head between angle of jaws; temporal scales rather enlarged,
not keeled; scales on head irregular in size and shape, rather
rounding, and not or but slightly imbricate, not keeled; scales
on posterior part of head imbricate and pointed; scale rows on
neck (counting from tenth ventral), 25: on body 21; median 10
rows of scales distinctly keeled, more prominently on posterior
part; ventrals, 178; subcaudals, 56; tail distinctly prehensile;
anal single.
* In establishing this species Griffin had before him ten specimens from
Polillo, the only locality where it has been found. No particular specimen
was designated as the type.
TRIMERESURUS 287
a
Color in alcohol_—Purplish brown with a few, very small,
yellowish brown spots on posterior part of body; below dull pur-
plish, the ventrals with light edges; tail uniform color like body;
no trace of a lateral light line.
Measurements of Trimeresurus halieus Griffin.
mm.
Total length 912
Snout to vent 782
Tail 130
Head length 4l
Head width 27
Variation —The ventrals range between 170 and 182; the
subcaudals between 52 and 59. There are 10 to 13 scales be-
between the supraoculars; certain of the specimens are a uniform
color, others have large, distinct, irregular, brown bands, in some
specimens continuing even on the tail; this is not due to age,
as.some of the smallest and some of the largest specimens are
so marked. In life the specimens are often green.
Remarks.—This species is very closely related to Trimere-
surus flavomaculatus, and T. gramineus is separated from both
chiefly by color. The scale differences are rather negligible.
The average of ventrals in the Polillo form is 178; cf subcaudals,
55, which is 7 or 8 lower than the average for T. flavomaculatus.
The very characteristic white line along the outer scale rows
is usually wanting,
Griffin * remarks on its habits:
The specimens were all collected along the banks of streams or in
damp localities.
This snake seems to leave the ground very rarely. When the natives
of the islands go at night along the streams to catch mudfish by torchlight
the snakes are commonly seen near the edge of the water, and the fisher-
men say that they are there for the same purpose as themselves, and for
this reason call the snake Mdénda-dalig, which, literally translated, means
“the fisher of the daldg (or mud-fish).” Sr. Cesario Canonizado captured
one specimen which had buried most of its body in the sand close to the
water’s edge. The place where the snake was lying was partly covered
with water, while a few inches away was deeper water in which numerous
small fish were swimming about for which the snake appeared to be lying
in wait. *
The stomach of No. 764 contained an entire frog. In the
intestine of No. 763 were found a few scales, probably of a
fish. The intestine of No. 765 contained a large ball of hair
of a rat.
* Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 5 (1910) 214.
288 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
I have examined recently a single freshly preserved specimen
from the Patnanongan Island, east of Polillo. The color above is
green, lighter on the sides; the belly is yellowish green; medially
there is a series of irreguiar, reddish brown blotches from the
head te the end of the body; there is a broken series of bright
yellow spots along the sides of the body, more prominent toward
the tail; sometimes the yellow color extends slightly on the ven-
tral. The skin between the scales is black and flesh color, al-
ternating dorsally, the black area widening on the sides; the
edges of the scales over the black area are somewhat bluish.
The tail is dark lavender traversed by 16 black bars which do
not meet below; below, behind anus, the tail is blue and yellow,
spotted black; on the latter half the color is grayish white.
There are 181 ventrals and 59 subcaudals. It. is highly prob-
able that this species will later be regarded as a subspecies of
Trimeresurus flavomaculatus. It will be remembered that Gray
designated three forms under the names flavomaculata, ornata,
and variegata.
TRIMERESURUS FLAVOMACULATUS (Gray)
Megxra flavomaculata GRAY, Zool. Mise. (1842) 49.
Megzxra ornata GRAY, Zool. Mise. (1842) 49.
Megexra variegata GRAY, Zool. Misc. (1842) 50.
Parias flavomaculata GRAY, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 11.
Farias ornata GRAY, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 11.
Parias variegata GRAY, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 11.
Trimeresurus flavomaculatus GUNTHER, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1879) 79;
GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 6 (1911) 267.
Trimeresurus schadenbergi FiscHEer, Jahrb. wiss. Anst. Hamburg
2 (1885) 116.
Lachesis flavomaculatus BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896)
556.
Trimeresurus gramineus MUuuer, II. Nacht. Cat. Herp. Sammi.
Basel Mus. (1883) 19.
Description of species.— (From No. 64, Bureau of Science col-
lection.) Snout rather short; head not especially flattened; ros-
tral broader than high, narrowed at top to less than half its
width, bordered behind by 2 internasal scales, visible from above;
supranasals enlarged, separated from each other by 2 scales, and
from loreal by a single scale; loreal folded across canthus, which
is not sharp but rather rounded; supraoculars longer than diam-
eter of eye, extending some distance in front of their anterior
vertical level; 10 scales in a line between supraoculars; scales
on the head imbricate, smaller on back part of head; nasal large,
nostril pierced in its middle lower part; 9 upper labials, first
small, second large, forming anterior border of pit, third largest,
TRIMERESURUS 289
last 5 subequal in size; a large, narrow, semicircular subocular
touching third labial, separated from others by a single row of
enlarged scales; 3 preoculars, the
middle and lower forming the
upper and lower borders of pit,
upper largest, all entering eye; 3
postoculars, lower temporal scales
larger than upper, no trace of
keels present; 11 to 12 lower
lJabials ; mental triangular, pointed
behind chin shields, in contact
with 3 labials; body scales nar-
row, pointed sharply behind,
faintly keeled on the 8 median
rows, in 21 rows around body; 25
about neck; ventrals, 180; sub-
caudals, 69; anal single.
Color in alcohol.—Above ultra-
marine blue with a series of about
54 irregular brown spots on back; EEL IO
head reticulated with brown;
laterally with a series of yel-
lowish, small spots, usually con-
nected, intermixed with brownish,
involving edges of some ventrals
and some scales of the second ric. 32. Trimeresurus flavomaculatus
row; below greenish blue, the (Sr) er Pale eee
ventrals edged with whitish; head, lateral view. ee
chin with numerous . white or
bluish white scales, forming a light spot at angle of jaws; tail
variegated with bluish and lavender-brown, lighter toward tip;
lateral spots of yellow and brown on ventral part of tail; skin
between scales brownish; eye moderate, the length equal to its
distance from mouth.
h
fs)
Ke
‘i
Ay
Measurements of Trimeresurus flavomaculatus (Gray).
mm,
Total length 855
Snout to vent 712
Tail 143
Variation.—Specimens I have examined in the Bureau of
Science collection, and those of Santo Tomas University, have the
following variation in scalation: Ventrals, 171 to 182, average,
178; subcaudals, 56 to 69, average, 63. Boulenger records the
161465——19
290 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
following scale variations: Ventrals, 170 to 187, average, 179;
subcaudals, 55 to 73, average, 62. The larger proportion of spec-
imens I have examined (five out of nine) have 2 labials touching
subocular; upper labials vary between 9 and 11, 10 being the
usual number; lower labials, 10 to 13, 11 being the usual num-
ber; 9 or 10 rows of scales between supraoculars, 10 predominat-
ing. The scale rows are invariably 21 (neck 25.) The color
and markings vary considerably; usually a bright or olive green
in life (bluish in alcohol), either uniform or with numerous
brown spots or blotches; the skin between the scales brownish
or blackish; the broken line of yellow dots on the outer scale
rows is very characteristic of this species, and is present in all
specimens examined.
Remarks.—This species is found only in the Philippines, ap-
parently. Specimens have been reported from Luzon, Mindanao,
and Batan Island,* north of Luzon. Two specimens in the Santo
Tomas Museum are labeled Bohol and Jolo, respectively.
TRIMERESURUS GRAMINEUS (Shaw)
Coluber gramineus SHAW, Gen. Zool. 3° (1802) 420.
Coluber viridis BECHSTEIN, Lacépéde’s Naturg. Amph. 4 (1802) 252,
pl. 39, fig. 1.
Vipera viridis DAUDIN, Rept. 6 (1803) 112.
Trimeresurus viridis LACEPEDE, Ann. Mus. Paris 4 (1804) 209; GRAY,
Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 7; Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. II, 12 (1853)
391.
Cophias viridis MERREM, Tent. Syst. Amph. (1820) 155.
Trigonocephalus viridis SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 344, pl. 19,
figs. 12 and 13.
Trigonocephalus erythrurus CANTOR, Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1839)
31.
Trimesurus albolabris GRAY, Zool. Misc. (1842) 48.
Trigonocephalus gramineus part., CANTOR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847)
119.
Trimesurus elegans GRAY, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. II, 12 (1853) 391.
Bothrops viridis DUMERIL and Brpron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1512.
Peters, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 691.
Trimeresurus gramineus GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 385;
SroLiczKA, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 39 (1870) 216; ANDERSON, Proc.
Zool. Soc. London (1871) 194; An. Zool. Res. Yunnan (1879) 828;
THEOBALD, Cat. Rept. Brit. India (1876) 219; F1scHER, Jahrb. wiss.
Anst. Hamburg 2 (1885) 81; BorTTGER, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1887)
50; (1888) 188; (1894) 135; BoULENGER, Fauna Brit. India, Rept.
(1890) 429; ScLaTER, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 60 (1891) 248; STEJ-
NEGER, Journ. Sci. Coll. Tokyo 12* (1898) 225; Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.
a distinct species.
TRIMERESURUS 291
Trimeresurus erythrurus GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 386;
StToLiczKA, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 39 (1870) 217; FAYRER, Than-
atoph. Ind. (1874) pl. 14; THEOBALD, Cat. Rept. Brit. India (1876)
220; MULLER, Verh. Nat. Ges. Basel 8 (1887) 280; BorTtcrErR, Ber.
Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 119.
Lachesis gramineus BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896)
554; BoETTGER, Kat. Schl. Mus. Senck. (1898) 139.
Description of species.—(From Stejneger, Bull. U. S. Nat.
Mus.) “Adult male; U.S. N. M. No. 36516; Taihoku (Taipa),
Formosa; * * * Rostral as high as broad, very narrow
above, nearly triangular bordered behind by a single scale be-
tween the upturned anterior corners of the nasal, just visible
from above; canthus rostralis sharp, formed anteriorly by the up-
turned edge of the nasal, the upturned edge of an elongated shield
corresponding to the loreal * * * and the upturned portion
of the upper preocular; head shields small, smooth anteriorly,
keeled on parietal and occipital regions; supraoculars very nar-
row, occupying only the outer edge of the supraocular region,
their width being scarcely more than one-fifth the distance be-
tween them; about 12 scales on a line between the supraoculars;
nasal large, smooth, undivided, with a round nostril pierced near
the lower edge; behind it above, on the canthal ridge an elongated
shield, being the loreal of the other species; below it, separating
it from the first supralabial, and between nasal and the upper
portion of second supralabial which enters the pit, two small
scales, one above the other, two elongate anterior preoculars,
the upper, which is somewhat wider anteriorly turned up over
the canthal ridge, the lower forming the upper border of the
large pit; the subfoveal as large as the lower preocular, pos-
teriorly entering eye between the latter and the subocular; a
long, narrow, crescentic subocular anteriorly in contact with
subfoveal, separated from fourth and subsequent supralabials
by one and posteriorly two rows of scales; three small post-
oculars on left side, two on right; temporals numerous, lower
ones largest, upper ones smaller, keeled; 10 supralabials, first
small, triangular, second very high, forming anterior border
of pit, third largest, fourth slightly larger than fifth to tenth,
which are subequal; 3 lower labials in contact with anterior
chin-shields, posterior chin-shields scarcely differentiated; 21
rows of narrow, pointed, keeled scales without apical pits; 161
ventrals; anal entire; 69 pairs of subcaudals; tip of tail rather
blunt. Color (in alcohol) above saturated uniform ‘parrot-
green,’ from the subocular, under the center of the eye, a narrow,
strongly defined, pale-yellowish line, the lower row of temporals
292 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
and across the last supralabial to the side of neck and from there
to near the tip of the tail on the middle line of the outer scale
row, the lower edge of which is somewhat darker than the rest
of the body; underside paler green, washed with blue so as to
be almost ‘beryl-green’ toward the sides; tips of tail colored
like the rest of the body.
Measurements of Trimeresurus gramineus (Shaw).
mm.
Total length 618
Snout to vent 488
Vent to tip of tail 130
“The female appears to have a relatively much shorter tail.”
Variation.This widely distributed species is quite variable
in scalation and color. According to Boulenger,* the ventral
range is 145 to 175, average, 162.5; subcaudal, 53 to 75, average,
60, Rarely there are 19 or 23 rows. The scales between oculars
vary between 8 and 13; the nasal is sometimes divided; the tem-
poral scales are smooth. Bright green, rarely olive or yellowish,
with or without crossbands; the yellow streak is usually present.
Remarks.—Known from India to Formosa, Siam, Sumatra,
Java, Timor, and Borneo. In the Philippines it has been re-
ported from Paracale, Luzon, by Peters, as Bothrops viridis;
from southern Mindanao by Fischer; and from Palawan by
Griffin.; I regard it of rather doubtful occurrence in the Phil-
ippines.
TRIMERESURUS SCHULTZE! Griffin
PLATE 36
Trimeresurus schultzei GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909)
601; § D 6 (1911) 267.
Trimeresurus gramineus GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci.
600.
Trimeresurus formosanus BOULENGER, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. VI
14 (1894) 85.
Description of species.—(From No. 614, Bureau of Science
collection; collected at Iwahig, Palawan, May 27, 1908, by C.
M. Weber.) (Adult female.) Head broadly triangular, rather
rounding on canthus rostralis and about angles of jaws; snout
rather blunt, short, the line of upper jaw very strongly curving
upward from a point below eye; rostral perpendicular, distinctly
broader than high, bordered behind by 3 scales, the 2 immediately
§ A 4 (1909)
*Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 555 and 556.
t+ The specimen which Griffin has referred to this species belongs, I
believe, to Trimeresurus schultzet.
TRIMERESURUS 293
above nasals largest; nasal longer than high, nostril pierced near
center, and a small fold or semisuture to edge of scale above
nostril; pit surrounded by second labial and 2 of the 3 preoculars;
the 3 preoculars longer than high, the upper largest, all
entering eye; supraoculars elongate, irregular on their inner
side; 2 small postoculars and a long narrow subocular touching
lowest preocular; scales in temporal region much larger than
those on top of head; 10 upper labials (11 on right side), third
in contact with subocular; a scale. inserted between subocular
and fourth labial; 2 scales between subocular and fifth labial;
13 lower labials, 3 touching chin shields which are elongate;
these chin shields are followed by 4 paired scales; scales in 21
rows about body; median scales strongly keeled, outer slightly ;
anterior head scales smooth, enlarged; ventrals, 198, subcaudals,
66; tail prehensile; scales on head small, rounding, irregular,
subimbricate,:. not keeled.
Color in alcohol.—Above, dark purplish brown with about 62
black, irregular, dim bars crossing back; top of head strongly
reticulated with black lines; outer row of scales bright yellow;
underpart of head muddy yellow with a darker spot under each
jaw and darker areas on labials; a yellow line from eye to angle
of mouth. Below, brownish to bluish lavender, the ventrals
edged with black; tail dull flesh color with dim purplish mottlings
laterally, and with no traces of bars.
Measurements of Trimeresurus schultzei Griffin.
mm.
Total length 1,220
Snout to vent 1,022
Tail 198
Variation.—The young are bright yellowish to bluish geen,
also barred with black ; belly scales indistinctly edged with black;
reticulations on head very distinct, sometimes forming a flower-
shaped marking on occiput. In a specimen,* 576 millimeters
long, the color is brown. The outer row of scales is here spotted
with a light purplish color.
Remarks.—I have taken an adult specimen for the description
rather than the type which is at hand, since the latter is a very
small, immature specimen.
*This specimen is recorded in the catalogue of the Bureau of Science
collection as T. gramineus. Doctor Griffin reports it as the first occurrence
of this species in the Philippines. I believe that it should be regarded
as T. schultzei, as the two species differ in no essential particular. See
Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 600.
204 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Griffin in his description has pointed out the differences be-
tween T. gramineus and the present species, but makes no men-
tion of its relation with T. swmatranus Raffles, with which it
has its closest affinity. Unfortunately no specimens of that
species are at hand; but, judging from descriptions and also
from the figure given by Lidth de Jeude, the following differ-
ences obtain:
In Trimeresurus schultzei the young are green with black bars
laterally connected with a zigzag black line; the top of the head
is very strongly reticulated with black; the head is short, the
snout blunt; the scales of the outer row are entirely yellow,
which color does not extend over either the second scale row or
the ventrals; there are no lateral spots. In the adult the color
becomes darker, the green apparently disappearing; the dark
markings do not change.
TABLE 63.—/easurements and scale counts of Trimeresurus schultzei Griffin.
. a
3 2
ee) | )] 3]
No. | Locality. Collector. es eal | 3 | os |
=) — a
° bo . 2 °
“ I = SF 4a
| ; o a 3 Orel sey
| | ee oe ica] Pa
Se =< S mei a | es er = |
mm, | mm.
330) 46. 203 | 70
1,220 198 | 198) 66
| 886 65
deci ap endo RE nd sa ye | 425 76
- 1566 Palawan ._-
5106 | Balabac
ee
Oo ©
wo 0
_
nn
}
| B98 a ase do | do
|
| | |e | 4\se6\ ¢ , | Se
@ | se| 8 | sol a a Z | Ba) g
|2 |8e) 488) 3/8) 4) ga) e
No. sil, Meee Oe tee tetas S 3 aa ee fy Collection.
| ion Si] 35 o 3 2 Q $ 38 Q
S 21 2 fe q 3} 2 we x
| | 6 a | ga | 6 ac] § BR Oo) i[gaee.|! 3
at | ef A ,Ae) a w]e az a
(aoa | lace | | 7 _
e315 | 1 | 10 | 1 er 3-4 | 1] 3 2 | 9) (28 | Bureau of Science.
64) io-11} a) as} 8| 2) 3) 2) aa] ‘oi Do.
897} 1 | 10 1 j11-12 | i) a) | 10) 21 Do.
gos} 1! 10! 2 ie [i eal) iets) BA Abit) orl) coal ome:
j 166; 1] a0) 1) 13) 38) 1/ 3] 2] 9] 21) BH. Taylor.
plos | 1 [10-11 | 7 es a | Sl | oo) sah Do. |
Sie ON Oe a Sas) ei) als ee Be a) a Do. |
ee | 1 Hou | ij!) oe) <4 | gi, eal! a6 | 21 Do
| ;
a Type.
In T. sumatianus the white lateral line covers 2 half rows
of scales, and the dorsal scales are only slightly keeled. In
TRIMERESURUS 295
T, schultzei, the ventrals range from 187 to 203 and average 196;
the subcaudals range from 66 to 82 and average 71. The scales
are in 21 to 23 rows, and those on the top of the head are flat
and smaller than in T. swmatranus. There are 10 scales between
supraoculars. In T. swmatranus the ventrals range from 180 to
191 and average 187; and the subcaudals range from 58 to 77
and average 68.
The species is found only in Palawan. If the specimen of Tri-
meresurus formosanus found in Palawan by Mr. Everett is re-
ferable to this form, as I strongly suspect, Trimeresurus swma-
tranus must of necessity be excluded from the Philippine fauna.
TRIMERESURUS PHILIPPENSIS Gray
PLATE 37, FIG. 1
Trimeresurus philippensis GRAY, Zool. Mise. (1842) 48; Cat. Vip.
Snakes (1849) 10.
Tropidolaemus hombront GUICHENOT, in Dumont d’Urville, Voy. Pole
Sud; PeTers, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1867) 29.
Trimeresurus wagleri philippensis GRAY, Zool., Rept. (1853) 238,
pl. 2, fig. 2; DUMERIL and Bipron, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854) 1527.
Description of species —(From an unnumbered specimen in
the Santo Tomas Museum, Manila; locality and _ collector
unknown.) Rostral higher than wide, visible above as a point;
nasal rather large, longer than high, nostril pierced near center,
appearing above as a mere line; 2 rather enlarged prefrontals
forming a median suture; 3 scales bordering canthus rostralis
in front of eye; supraocular enlarged, as long as, or longer than,
diameter of eye; 7 scales between supraoculars; head scales very
strongly keeled, erect, very rough in profile; pit surrounded by
1 large preocular which enters eye, a large loreal which is broken
up below into one or two small divisions, and another small scale
below preocular which does not enter eye; upper preocular enters
eye; 8 upper labials, none entering pit or reaching suboculars,
second and third largest, separated from subocular by a row of
scales; temporals not enlarged; 8 lower labials, first pair mi-
nutely in contact behind mental; first pair of chin shields largest,
longer than wide, followed by 3 pairs of smaller scales; scales in
19 rows on neck and on middle of body; ventrals, 132; anal
single; subcaudals, 49; tail prehensile.
Color—Above, greenish with 56 darker transverse bars
composed of dark black background, each scale with a green
center; these bars are two or three scales wide dorsally and ex-
tend about halfway down on side where they continue as a very
thin zigzag line crossing ventral surface, but rarely meeting ; bars
296 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
almost join each other on neck dorsally ; they are more distinct
on latter third of body, and merge into each other again on tail;
darker scales on head edged with black; no streak behind eye,
a suggestion of black around labials.
Measurements of Trimeresurus philippensis Gray.
mm,
Total length 450
Length of head 22
Diameter of eye . 4
Eye to end of snout 8
Head between eyes 14
Remarks.—Only this single specimen has been seen and,
unfortunately, the locality is not known. The specimen is in
the Santo Tomas Museum, Manila. This species is very prob-
ably identical with Tropidolaemus hombroni Guichenot from
western Mindanao.
TRIMERESURUS WAGLERI (Boie)
Cophias waglert Bolg, Isis (1827) 561.
Trigonocephalus waglert SCHLEGEL, Phys. Serp. 2 (1837) 542, pl.
19, figs. 16-18.
Trimeresurus maculatus GRAY, Zool. Misc. (1842) 48; Cat. Vip.
Snakes (1849) 8; MoTLey and DILLWyN, Nat. Hist. Labuan (1855)
48.
Trimesurus subannulatus Gray, Zool. Misc. (1842) 48; Cat. Vip.
Snakes (1849) 9; MoTLey and DILLWyN, Nat. Hist. Labuan (1855)
44, ;
Trimesurus sumatranus (non Raffles) Gray, Zool. Misc. (1842) 48;
Cat. Vip. Snakes (1849) 10.
Trigonocephalus sumatranus CANTOR, Cat. Mal. Rept. (1847) 121,
pl. 40, fig. 9.
Trimesurus formosus (non Schlegel) Gray, Cat. Vip. Snakes (1842)
10.
Tropidolemus waglert DUMERIL and BiBRoN, Erp. Gén. 7 (1854)
1524; F. MULLER, Verh. Nat. Ges. Basel 7 (1883) 290.
Trigonocephalus hombroni JAN, Rev. & Mag. Zool. (1859) 155.
Tropidolemus subannulatus PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 691.
Tropidolemus philippinensis PretrerRs, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1861) 691.
Trimeresurus wagleri GUNTHER, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 3888;
SToLiczKA, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 42 (1873) 126; BLANFoRD, Proc.
Zool. Soe. London (1881) 224.
Trimeresurus subannulatus immaculatus Prrers, Ann. Mus. Genova
3 (1872) 42.
Tropidolemus subannulaius celebensis PETERS, Mon. Berl. Ak. (1872)
584.
Bothrops wagleri F. MULLER, Verh. Nat. Ges. Basel 7 (1882) 155;
Dr Jrupp, Notes Leyden Mus. 8 (1886) 44.
TRIMERESURUS 297
Tropidolemus (sp.) F. MULLER, Verh. Nat. Ges. Basel 8 (1887) 281.
Lachesis wagleri BOULENGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 562.
Trimeresurus wagleri GRIFFIN, Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 601;
§ D 6 (1911) 267.
Whether the Philippine specimens of Trimeresurus wagleri
Boie (as understood in Boulenger’s Catalogue) should be divided
into further subspecies is a debatable question. Gray described
two species, Trimesurus subannulatus and Trimesurus philip-
pensis, from his Philippine material. Other writers have recog-
nized certain of the forms as distinct species, others as sub-
species; as a consequence we find subannulatus, Tropidolaemus
subannulatus var. maculatus, and T. philippinensis, recorded by
Peters * from the Philippines, the first and last regarded as spe-
cies, the other merely a variety of subannulatus. Boettger +
in his list includes hombroni, Trimeresurus philippinensis, and
Trimeresurus wagleri, placing the Tropidolaemus subannulatus
and Tropidolemus maculatus of Peters as synonyms of Tvi-
meresurus wagleri. . Boulenger t has divided the species La-
chesis wagleri into a series of varieties without naming them.
The types of Trimesurus subannulatus Gray, are relegated to
the Cophias wagleri group; the specimens were from the Philip-
pines, the exact locality unknown. In this same group are placed
three specimens from Palawan, two from Mindanao, and three
from Luzon.
The types of Trimesurus philippensts Gray are placed in the
group of Tropidolaemus hombroni Guichenot.
For an understanding of the Philippine fauna I regard it as
essential that the varieties of Trimeresurus wagleri Boie which
exist in the Philippines be recognized as subspecies. I have had
at hand for study more than forty specimens; fifteen from Min-
danao, sixteen from Palawan and Balabac, one from Negros,
and eleven with localities uncertain. In this lot I am able to
recognize three distinct variations, in at least two of which
the differentiating characters hold throughout fairly large series
of specimens. Trimesurus philippensis of Gray is a distinct spe-
cies,
Key to the subspecies of Trimeresurus wagleri (Bove).
a’, Ventrals, 139; subcaudals, 51; 12 scales between supraoculars; bars
across body, 45 (average counts of 15 specimens); scales in 21 to
25 rows, keeled. Bluish green barred above with narrow stripes of
white and dark blue, 2 scales wide; ventrals edged with black and
* Mon. Berl Ak. (1861) 691.
+ Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. (1886) 120.
+ Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 3 (1896) 562.
298 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
with rather large spots of bluish or black; a white and blue bar
behind eye; tail brownish red. Young green, or green with very
small spots of white and blue, or with bars of white and brownish.
Palawan and Balabac......-....00.0..2..0---- T. w. wagleri (Boie) (p. 298),
a, Ventrals, 163; subcaudals, 50; 15 scales between supraoculars; scales,
8 rows, keeled, and slightly notched laterally. Bluish-green, with
23 very narrow white stripes, 1 scale wide, the color extending on
the ventrals; light bluish green below; a white line from point of
snout to angle of jaw; tail whitish on tip.
T. w. alboviridis Taylor (p. 299),
a*. Ventrals, 133; subcaudals, 45; 9 scales between eyes; head not nar-
rowed in front as rapidly as in wagleri; labials usually in contact
with subocular. Above bluish to yellowish green with a series of
34 bands of greenish white and grayish black, 2 or 3 scales wide;
a few narrow black lines across ventrals; a line behind eye. Young,
white; brownish stripes with brown spots usually present on head. .
Mind Bn AO tse sree Ren ho S Se T. w. subannulatus (Gray) (p. 300).
TRIMERESURUS WAGLERI WAGLERI (Boie)
PLATE 37, FIG. 4
Cophias wagleri Bote, Isis (1827) 561.
It is highly probable that all references to Trimeresurus wag-
leri (Boie) as occurring in Palawan should be referred to this
subspecies.
There is no necessity of a complete description of this sub-
species; the following characteristics will enable one to dis-
tinguish the form,
Ventrals, 139; subcaudals, 51; scales between the supraoculars,
12; bars across body, 45 (these counts are the averages of fifteen
specimens from Palawan and Balabac.) The scale rows vary
between 21 and 25.
The coloration is usually bluish green barred above with
harrow ‘stripes of white and dark blue, 2 scales wide. Ventrals
edged with black and with rather large spots of bluish or black;
a white and blue bar behind eye. Tail brownish red.
In young specimens the entire color above is green, or green
with a very few white and blue spots. Occasional specimens
show bars of white and brownish.
The species agrees in size and general color with the sub-
species T. wagleri subannulatus Gray. It is not a rare snake
in either Palawan or Balabac. It probably does not occur
anywhere in the Philippines save in the Palawan group and the
Calamianes.
TRIMERESURUS 299
TRIMERESURUS WAGLERI ALBOVIRIDIS Taylor
PLATE 37, FIG. 2
Trimeresurus wagleri alboviridis Taytor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D
12 (1917) 366.
Description of subspecies.—(From the type, No. 432, E. H.
Taylor collection; collected in Isabela, Occidental Negros, Sep-
tember 12, 1915, by E. H. Taylor.) (Young female.) Head
triangular, very distinct from neck, nearly one and a half times
as long as wide; rostral about as wide as high, not visible from
above, bordered behind by 2 enlarged internasals ; latter narrowly
in contact, being nearly separated by 3 small scales; nasal bor-
dered above by internasal, 2 supranasals, and a postnasal folded
over canthus rostralis, the dorsal part much larger than the
lateral; nasal large, longer than wide, nostril pierced near ante-
rior margin, bordered behind by postnasal and a number of
small intercalated scales, 7 or 8 in number, completely separating
nasal from loreal, and loreal from first labials; pit surrounded
by median preocular and 2 loreals; anterior loreal much larger
than posterior, in contact with second labial and 1 supralabial;
3 preoculars, the middle largest, the lower very small; 2 small
subequal postoculars; a narrow, crescentic, elongate subocular,
separated from labials by a series of supralabials; supraocular
region covered by 4 enlarged scales, the supraocular somewhat
longer than wide; this is bordered by another scale along its
inner side, nearly as large; a third somewhat smaller scale
joins these behind, and a fourth borders them in front; supra-
ocular and the scale in front in contact with superior preocular;
temporals subequal, about 4 lateral rows; upper labials 11 (10
on right side), third and fourth largest, first and second sub-
equal in size; 12 lower labials, only 1 in contact with anterior
pair of chin shields; latter large, followed by 3 smaller pairs;
head scales above strongly keeled, 14 to 15 rows between supra-
ocular scales; scales in 23 rows, faintly keeled, with a slight
notch indicated on each side of scales; ventrals, 163; subcau-
dals, 50; anal entire,
Color in life.—Above bluish green, growing yellowish green
laterally and greenish white below; body crossed with 26 very
narrow white lines, not continuing ventrally; tail barred later-
ally with narrow white and blackish lines; point of tail whitish;
a slight line behind eye to angle of jaw, top of head more blue
than green, side of head lighter green with no markings.
300 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Measurements of Trimeresurus wagleri alboviridis Taylor.
mm.
Total length 370
Snout to vent 308
Tail 62
Remarks.—This form differs from all other subspecies of T7i-
meresurus waglert in the very much higher average number of
ventrals (29 more than the average, 24 more than any recorded
Philippine form, and 10 more than any specimen reported in
Boulenger’s catalogue). The upper head scales are smaller,
there being 5 or 6 more between the supraoculars than in other
subspecies. The small lateral notches in the scales are distinc-
tive. I captured the type in the low mountains of Negros, in
small bushes. This is the only specimen known.
TRIMERESURUS WAGLERI SUBANNULATUS (Gray)
PLATE 37, FIG. 3
Trimesurus subannulatus GRAY, Zool. Misc. (1842) 48; Cat. Vip.
Snakes (1849) 9.
Description of subspecies.—Head very distinct from body, very
broad, nearly as broad as long; snout short, rather broadened,
with a prominent canthus rostralis; eye small; rostral a little
higher than wide, visible from above as a mere line; bordered
above by 2 rounding scales, forming a suture medially; nasal
large, the nostril pierced near the middle of the scale which is
bounded above by 3 small, rounding scales, subequal in size;
these scales are without keels, including the 2 touching rostral;
a large postnasal folded over canthus rostralis, its superior part
longest; behind nasal, the loreal and a minute intercalated scale
below touch the first labial; anterior loreal large, narrowly in
contact with nasal, forming the anterior border of facial pit, in
contact with first 2 labials; posterior border of pit bounded by
second preocular and second small loreal; 3 preoculars, the me-
dian largest, the inferior very small; supraocular longer than
diameter of eye, its inner margin irregular, in contact with su-
perior pre- and postoculars; 2 small postoculars; a narrow,
curved, elongate subocular borders eye behind and below, sep-
arated from labials by a series of small supralabials of unequal
size; 2 small scales between third labial and loreals; 9 upper
labials, third, fourth, and first largest in the order named; edges
of labials bordering mouth form a wavy line; 10 lower labials;
mental wider than rostral, about as deep; 1 large pair of chin
shields followed by 3 smaller paired scales; 2 labials in contact
with first pair of chin shields; temporals numerous, 4 or 5 lateral
TRIMERESURUS 301
rows, those bordering labials largest; head scales on snout larger
than those between eyes, all strongly keeled save those that
border canthus rostralis; scales between supraoculars 9 or 10;
from last lower labials to first ventral, 9 rows of scales; scales
on chin and throat large, wider than deep; scales on body in
23 rows, all keeled; outer row largest; pupil vertical; ventrals,
131; anal entire; subcaudals, 48.
Color in life——Dorsally a bright bluish green, with yellowish
green to yellow laterally and ventrally; a series of bands on body,
(21 on body, 18 on tail) ; these bands are composed of a greenish
yellow stripe bordered by a black line of varying width; some
of the bands are broken in the middle; below they connect with
a narrow black line crossing ventrals; usually L or 2 black lines
between ends of bars ventrally; ventrals are of varying shades
of yellow to cream, all with a tinge of green; ventral lines are
black ; tail pinkish, the black bands not connected above or below;
top of head variously spotted with black; a yellowish line runs
from nasal through eye, and around angle of jaw; behind eye
this is bordered below by a black band which continues the
same distance; upper and lower labials yellow-green, some edged
with black. Length, 655 millimeters; tail, 102.
Variation—In this form the chief variation is between the
young and the adult. The black color is usually wanting and is
usually replaced by brown or brown and lavender; the head is
sometimes spotted, sometimes not. The number of upper labials
is almost constantly 9, with usually 10 lower labials; ventrals
average 134; subcaudals, 45.
Remarks.—Common in Mindanao. These snakes were usually
found in small trees in the forest. Their coloration makes them
very difficult to discern. They are deadly poisonous.
oo
A
abbreviatus, Hydrophis, 250.
Ablabes, 79, 161.
philippinus, 164.
tricolor, 162.
Acrochordinz, 76.
Acrochordus, 77.
fasciatus, 77.*
granulatus, 77
acutus, Cerberus, 112.
Adeniophis, 273.
bilineatus, 275.
philippinus, 277.
affinis, Platurus, 228.
Aheetulla,165.
belli, 166.
caudolineata, 169.
decorus, 166.
picta, 166.
ahetulla, Leptophis, 166.
Aipysurus, 225,
anguiliztormis, , 226.
eydouxii, 226.
levis, 226.
margaritophorus, 226.
albolabris, Trimesurus, 290.
alboviridis, Trimeresurus wagleri, 299.
Alopecophis chalybeus, 153.
Amblycephalide, 280.
Amblycephalus, 280.
boa, 280.
Amphiesma, 83.
stolatum, 84.
ancoralis, Simotes, 141.
ancorus, Holarchus, 140, 141.
Xenodon, 140.
anguilleformis, Aipysurus,
Thalassophis, 226.
Anguis platura, 252.
angulata, Boiga, 204.
Dipsas (Dipsadomorphus), 204.
angulatus, Dipsadomorphus, 204.
Anilios, 48.
ruficauda, 54.
ruficauda, Typhlops, 54.
Anisodon, 209.
lilljeborgi, 210.
Anisodontes, 209.
annulatus, Chersydrus, 77.
Elapoides, 124.
aphanospilus, Simotes, 141.
Aplopeltura, 280.
226.
boa, 281.
Argyrophis bramicus, 50.
truncatus, 50.
INDEX
aspera, Hydrophis, 245.
Aspidoboa, 68.
Aspis, 255.
Aturia, 237.
ornata, 241.
aulicus, Coluber, 120.
Lycodon, 120.
Ophites, 120.
auriculata, Natrix, 89.
auriculatus, Tropidonotus, 89.
B
bairdi, Lycodon, 210.
belli, Ahzetulla, 166.
Bibliography, 20.
bicolor, Fordonia, 115.
Hydrophis, 253.
Hydrus,
Pelamis, 3
bilineata, Hurria, 111.
bilineatus, Adeniophis, 275
Callophis, 274.
Coluber, 8&4.
Doliophis, 274, 275.
Elaps, 84.
bitorques, Calamaria, 185.
bivittatus, Polyodontophis, 80.
Sibynophis, 80.
Boa phrygia, 68.
reticulatus, 68.
rhombeata, 68.
boa, Amblycephalus, 280.
Aplopeltura, 281.
Dipsas, 281.
Haplopeltura, 280, 281.
bozformis, Cerberus, 11.
Elaps, 111.
Homaltopsis,
Boide, 67.
Boigine, 195.
Boiga, 195, 196.
angulata, 204.
eynodon, 206, 207.
dendrophila, 197.
dendrophila divergens, 201.
dendrophila latifasciata, 198.
dendrophila multicincta, 200.
philippina, 206.
Bothrodytes, 83.
Bothrops, 283.
viridis, 290.
wagleri, 296.
Brachyrhynchus, 268.
bramiecus, Argyrophis, 50.
112.
304
braminus, Eryx, 50.
Typhlops, 50.
brevirostris, Geophis, 103.
Stenognathus, 103.
brevis, Hydrophis, 249.
Typhlogeophis, 183.
Typhlogeophus, 188.
bungarus, Naia, 256.
Naja, 256.
Trimeresurus, 256.
burksi, Holarchus, 145.
0)
caeruleatus, Dendrelaphis, 174.
Calamaria, 146, 188,
bitorques, 185,
everetti, 191.
gervaisii, 185, 186, 189.
gervaisii gervaisii, 187.
gervaisii iridescens, 188.
grayi, 184,
longiceps, 178.
lumbricoidea, 185.
mearnsi, 193.
mindorensis, 190.
philippinica, 185.
suluensis, 189.
tropica, 194.
virgulata, 186.
calligaster, Callophis, 269.
Elaps, 269.
Hemibungarus, 269.
Callophis, 268, 278.
bilineatus, 274.
ealligaster, 269.
gemianulus, 270.
intestinalis, 277.
intestinalis var. philippina, 277.
canlaonensis, Typhlops, 55.
eapucinus, Lycodon, 120.
carinatus, Coryphodon, 136.
Zaocys, 136.
caudalineatus, Leptophis, 169.
caudolineata, Aheetulla, 169.
Dendrophis, 169,
caudolineatus, Dendrelaphis, 169.
Cephalophis, 195.
Ceratophallus, 83.
Cerberus, 111.
acutus, 112.
bozeformis, 112.
cinereus, 112, 114,
rhynchops, 111.
unicolor, 112.
cerberus, Homalopsis, 111.
Cercaspis, 119,
cerebus, Coluber, 111.
chalybzeus, Hemiodontus, 1165.
chalybeus, Alopecophis, 158.
Chersydrus, 77,
annulatus, 77.
fasciatus, 77.
granulatus, 77.
INDEX
chittal, Hydrophis, 245.
chrysarga, Natrix, 87.
chrysargus, Tropidonotus, 87.
Chrysopelea, 213, 215.
ornata, 216.
rubescens, 218.
cincinnatii, Disteira, 239.
cinereus, Cerberus, 112, 114.
Hydrus, 111.
Classification of the snakes, 45.
Clutulia, 237.
inornata, 241.
collaris, Elaps, 269.
Hemibungarus, 269.
Coluber, 152, 155.
aulicus, 120.
bilineatus, 84.
cerebus, 111.
decorus, 166.
gramineus, 290.
javanicus, 68.
laticaudatus, 228, 231.
ornatus, 216.
oxycephalus, 152.
pictus, 166.
platicaudatus, 228.
stolatus, 84.
viridis, 290.
colubrina, Hydrophis, 234.
Laticauda, 231.
colubrinus, Hydrophis, 228, 231
Hydrus, 231. :
Platurus, 231.
Composoma, 155.
melanurum, 156,
melanurum var. erythrurum, 156.
concolor, Xenopeltis, 73.
Constrictor, 68.
Contents, 5.
Cophias viridis, 290.
wagleri, 296, 298.
Coronellina, 117.
Coronella, 138, 161.
Coryphodon, 134.
carinatus, 136.
crassicollis, Hydrophis, 245.
crebripunctata, Natrix, 91.
crebripunctatus, Tropidonotus, 91.
Crotalids, 283.
Crysopele ornata, 216.
cumingii, Onychocephalus, 66.
Onychophis, 66.
Typhlops, 66.
eyanocincta, Disteira, 245.
Distira, 245.
Hydrophis, 245.
eyanocinctus, Enhydris, 245.
Hydrophis, 245,
Hydrus, 245.
cyanosoma, Disteira, 248.
Cyelochorus lineatus maculata, 116.
maculatus, 116.
Cyclocorus, 105,
lineatus, 106.
Cyclophis, 161.
tricolor, 162.
cynodon, Boiga, 206, 2
Dipsadomorphus, 2
Dipsas, 206.
Dipsas (Eudipsas), 206.
Eudipsas, 206.
Opetiodon, 206.
D
Deadly poisonous snakes, 224.
decorus, Ahzetulla, 166.
Coluber, 166.
Dendraspis, 255.
Dendrelaphis, 169.
caeruleatus, 174.
caudolineatus, 169.
fuliginosus, 172.
modestus, 172.
terrificus, 174.
dendrophila, Boiga, 197.
Dipsas, 197.
Dipsas (Dipsas), 197.
divergens, Boiga, 201.
latifasciata, Boiga, 198.
multicincta, Boiga, 200.
dendrophilum, Triglyphodon, 197.
dendrophilus, Dipsadomorphus, 197.
var. latifasciatus, Dipsadomorphus, 198.
var. multicinctus, Dipsadomorphus, 200.
dendrophiops, Natrix, 96.
dendrophiops, Natrix, 95.
negrosensis, Natrix, 97.
Tropidonotus, 95.
Dendrophis, 165, 169.
caudolineata, 169.
octolineata, 169.
philippinensis, 174.
picta, 166, 174.
pictus, 166.
punctulata, 174.
terrificus, 174.
dendrophis, Typhlops, 60.
Diadophis, 161.
dichromatus, Typhlops, 64.
Dicraulax, 138.
Diplophallus, 83.
Dipsadomorphus, 195.
angulata, Dipsas, 204.
angulatus, 204.
eynodon, 207.
dendrophilus, 197.
dendrophilus var. latifasciatus, 198.
dendrophilus var. multicinctus, 200.
philippinus, 206.
Dipsas, 195, 196, 280.
boa, 281.
cynodon, 206.
dendrophila, 197.
ferruginea, 209.
philippina, 206.
schokari, 166.
(Dipsadomorphus) angulata, 204.
(Dipsas) dendrophila, 197.
161465,
20
INDEX
Dipsas—Continued.
(Eudipsas) cynodon, 206.
(Eudipsas) guiraonis, 204.
(Triglyphodon) gemmicincta,
Disteira, 236,
cincinnatii, 239.
eyanocincta, 245.
cyanosoma, 248.
ornata, 241.
ornata inornata, 241.
Distira, 237.
cyanocincta, 245.
Doliophis, 278,
bilineatus, 274, 275.
philippinus, 277.
Dryinus, 218.
nasutus, 219.
prasinus, 219.
Dryocalamus, 131,
philippinus, 132.
Dryophiops, 213.
philippina, 213.
Dryophis, 218,. 218.
griseus, 221.
prasinus, 219.
preocularis, 222.
dumerilii, Stegonotus, 130.
E
Economic consideration of snakes, 31.
Elaphe, 155.
erythrura, 156, 159.
197.
melanurum var. celebensis, 156.
oxycephala, 153.
philippina, 159.
Elaphis, 155.
melanurus var. manillensis, 156.
subradiatus, 156.
elapiformis, Python, 111.
Elapoides annulatus, 124.
Elapide, 224.
Elapine, 254.
Elaps, 268, 273.
bilineatus, 84.
bozformis, 111.
calligaster, 269.
collaris, 269.
gastrodelus, 269.
intestinalis, 277.
elaps, Hamadryas, 256.
Naja, 256.
Ophiophagus, 256.
elegans, Trimesurus, 290.
Emydocephalus, 225.
Enhydris, 236, 249.
eyanocinctus, 245.
hardwickii, 250.
striatus, 245.
Enicognathus, 79.
Entacanthus, 161.
erythrura, Elaphe, 156, 169.
erythrurus, Plagiodon, 156.
Trigonocephalus, 290.
Trimeresurus, 291.
305
306
Eryx braminus, 50.
Eudipsas, 195.
eynodon, 206.
eynodon, Dipsas, 206.
guiraonis, Dipsas, 204.
Eurypholis, 161.
Eutainia, 82.
everetti, Calamaria, 191.
eydouxii, Aipysurus, 226.
Tomogaster, 226.
EF
fasciata, Naja (Hamadryas?), 256.
Potamophis, 77.
fasciatus, Acrochordus, 77.
Chersydrus, 77.
Ophiophagus, 256.
Platurus, 228, 231.
var. colubrina, Platurus, 231.
var. semifasciata, Platurus, 234.
Faunal relations and distribution of Philip-
pine snakes, 38.
fayreriana, Hydrophis, 249.
ferruginea, Dipsas, 209.
fischeri, Platurus, 228.
flavomaculata, Megera, 288.
Parias, 288.
flavomaculatus, Lachesis, 288.
Trimeresurus, 288.
Fordonia, 115.
bicolor, 115.
leucobalia, 115.
unicolor, 115.
variabilis, 115.
formosanus, Trimeresurus, 292.
formosus, Leptophis, 166.
Trimesurus, 296.
fulgidus, Oxybelis, 219.
fuliginosus, Dendrelaphis, 172.
G
gastrodelus, Elaps, 269.
gemianulis, Hemibungarus,
gemianulus, Callophis, 270.
gemmiannulis, Hemibungarus, 270.
gemmicincta, Dipsas (Triglyphodon), 197.
gemmicinctum, Triglyphodon, 197.
Geophis, 99.
brevirostris, 103.
modestus, 100.
schadenbergi, 100.
gervaisii, Calamaria, 185, 186, 189.
gervaisii, Calamaria, 187.
iridescens, Calamaria, 188.
Gonyodipsas, 195.
Gonyosoma, 152,
oxycephalum, 152, 153.
viride, 152.
gramineus, Coluber, 290.
Lachesis, 291.
Trigonocephalus, 290.
Trimeresurus, 288, 290, 292,
granulatus, Acrochordus, 77.
Chersydrus, 77.
270.
INDEX
granulatus—Continued.
Hydrus, 77.
Pelamis, 77.
grayi, Calamaria, 184.
griseus, Dryophis, 221.
guiraonis, Dipsas (Eudipsas), 204.
H
halieus, Trimeresurus, 286.
Trimerisurus, 286.
Hamadryas, 255.
elaps, 256.
fasciata, Naja, 256.
hannah, 256.
ophiophagus, 256.
hannah, Hamadryas, 256.
Naja, 256.
Haplonodon, 126,
philippinensis, 126.
Haplopeltura, 280.
boa, 280, 281.
hardwickii, Enhydris, 250.
Hydrophis, 249.
Lapemis, 249.
hebe, Lycodon, 120.
Helminthoelaps, 273.
Hemibungarus, 268,
ealligaster, 269.
collaris, 269
gemianulis, 270.
gemmiannulis,
meclungi, 272.
sp., 272.
Hemiodontus, 115.
chalybeeus, 115.
leucobalia, 115.
Henicognathus, 79.
270.
Herpetodryas, 79, 129, 134, 152, 161.
muelleri, 129.
oxycephalus, 152.
tricolor, 162.
Historical, 16.
Holarchus, 138,
ancorus, 140, 141.
burksi, 145.
maculatus, 143.
meyerinkii, 139,
meyerlinkii, 139,
pheenochalinus, 141.
Hologerrhum, 116,
philippinum, 116.
Homalopsinex, 110.
Homalopsis, 115.
borwformis, 112.
cerberus, 111.
leucobalia, 115.
Homalosoma, 146, 161.
hombroni, Trigonocephalus, 296.
Tropidolaemus, 295.
Hurria, 110, 111, 195.
bilineata, 111,
microlepis, 114.
sal FP es
schneideriana, 111.
rynchops,
Hurrianus, 111.
Hydrophiine, 225.
Hydrophilophis, 82.
Hydrophis, 225, 227, 236, 249, 252.
abbreviatus, 250.
aspera, 245.
bicolor, 253.
brevis, 249.
chittal, 245.
colubrina, 234.
colubrinus, 228, 231.
erassicollis, 245.
eyanocincta, 245.
eyanocinctus, 245.
fayreriana, 249.
hardwickii, 249.
loreata, 249.
ornatus, 241.
pelamidoides, 249.
pelamis, 253.
phipsoni, 245.
platura, 252.
problematicus, 249.
striata, 245.
subannulata, 245.
taprobanica, 245.
(Thalassophis) loreatus, 250.
trachyceps, 245.
westermanni, 245.
Hydrophobus, 132.
Hydrine, 225.
Hydrus, 77, 110, 227, 236, 252.
bicolor, 252.
cinereus, 111.
colubrinus, 231.
cyanocinctus, 245.
granulatus, 77.
platurus, 263.
rynchops, 111.
striatus, 245.
Hypaspistes, 68.
hypomeias, Tropidonotus, 95.
Hypotropis, 225.
hypsirhinoides, Tytleria, 120.
I
Illustrations, 9.
Imbricatz, 72.
ingens, Naja, 256.
inornata, Clutulia, 241.
intestinalis, Callophis, 277.
var. philippina, Callophis, 277.
Elaps, 277.
Introduction, 15.
iwahigensis, Oligodon, 149.
J
jagorii, Typhlops, 63.
javanicus, Coluber, 68.
junceus, Tropidonotus, 87.
K
Kerilia, 237.
korros, Ptyas, 136.
INDEX
L
Lachesis, 283.
flavomaculatus, 288.
gramineus, 291.
wagleri, 297,
levis, Aipysurus, 226.
Langahinez, 116.
Lapemis, 249,
hardwickii, 249.
loreatus, 249.
Laticauda, 227.
colubrina, 231.
laticaudata, 228, 229.
scutata, 228, 231.
semifasciata, 234.
Platurus, 228, 231.
laurenti, Platurus, 228.
Leioselasma, 236.
striata, 245.
leporinum, Oxyrhabdium, 103.
Rhabdosoma, 100, 103.
Leptophis, 82, 165, 169.
ahetulla, 166.
caudalineatus, 169.
formosus, 166.
pictus, 166.
Leptorhytaon, 119.
leucobalia, Fordonia, 115.
Hemiodontus, 115.
Homalopsis, 115.
leucocephala, Xenopeltis, 73.
Lielaphis, 129.
lilljeborgi, Anisodon, 210.
lineata, Natrix, 92.
lineatus, Cyclocorus, 106.
Lycodon, 106.
Tropidonotus, 92.
Liopata, 237.
Liopeltis, 161.
philippinus, 164.
tricolor, 162.
Liophallus, 196.
longicauda, Typhlops, 63.
longiceps, Calamaria, 178.
Oxycalamus, 178.
Pseudorhabdion, 178.
loreata, Hydrophis, 249.
Lapemis, 249.
lumbricoidea, Calamaria, 185.
luzonensis, Typhlops, 52.
Zaocys, 135.
aulicus, 120.
bairdi, 210.
capucinus, 120.
hebe, 120.
laticaudata laticaudata, 229.
laticaudata, Laticauda, 228, 229.
laticaudatus, Coluber, 228, 231.
var. colubrina, Platurus, 231.
maculata, Cyclochorus, 116.
Local names for Philippine snakes, 34
loreatus, Hydrophis (Thalassophis), 250.
Lycodon, 105, 118, 119, 129, 131.
307
308
Lycodon—Continued.
lineatus, 106.
miilleri, 130.
platurinus, 124.
subcinctus, 124.
tessellatus, 124.
unicolor, 120.
M
Macrocephalus, 195.
maculatus, Cyclochorus, 116.
Holarchus, 143.
Trimeresurus, 296.
manile, Typhlops, 56. |
margaritophorus, Aipysurus, 226.
Maticora, 273.
meclungi, Hemibungarus, 272.
megregori, Trimeresurus, 284.
menamare, Pseudorhabdium, 180.
mearnsi, Calamaria, 193.
Megeera, 283.
flavomaculata, 288.
ornata, 288.
variegata, 288.
melanurum, Composoma, 156.
var. erythrurum, Composoma, 156.
var. celebensis, Elaphe, 156.
melanurus var. manillensis, Elaphis, 156.
Spilotes, 156.
meyerinkii, Holarchus, 139.
Simotes, 139.
meyerlinkii, Holarchus, 139.
Microcephalophis, 236,
microlepis, Hurria, 114.
mindanensis, Typhlops, 65.
mindorensis, Calamaria, 190.
miolepis, Naia tripudians, 262.
Naja naja, 262.
modestum, Oxyrhabdium, 100.
Rhabdosoma, 100, 103.
modestus, Dendrelaphis, 172.
Geophis, 100.
Oligodon, 147.
Stenognathus, 100, 103.
Morelia, 68.
muelleri, Herpetodryas, 129.
Odontomus, 130.
Stegonotus, 129.
miilleri, Lyeodon, 130.
muraenaeformis, Thalassophis, 226.
N
Naia, 255.
bungarus, 256.
samarensis, 259.
tripudians, 262.
tripudians ceca, 265.
tripudians var, miolepis, 262,
Naja, 255,
bungarus, 256.
elaps, 256.
ingens, 256.
hannah, 256.
naja, 259,
INDEX
Naja—Continued.
naja caeca, 265.
naja miolepis, 262.
naja philippinensis, 265.
naja samarensis, 259.
samarensis, 259.
tripudians, 259.
tripudians, var. f., 259.
tripudians var. samarensis, 259.
tripudians var. sumatrana, 256.
(Hamadryas?) fasciata, 256.
naja, Naja, 259.
nasutus, Dryinus, 219.
Natricidz, 76.
Natricine, 78.
Natrix, 82.
auriculata, 89.
chrysarga, 87.
crebripunctata, 91.
dendrophiops, 95.
dendrophiops dendrophiops, 95.
dendrophiops negrosensis, 97.
lineata, 92.
spilogaster, 86.
stolata, 84.
stolatus, 84.
Nerodia, 82.
Nonpoisonous snakes, 47.
Noterophis, 237.
notospilus, Oligodon, 148.
Nympha, 181.
Nymphophidium, 132.
Oo
octolineata, Dendrophis, 169.
octolineatus, Simotes, 139.
Odontomus, 129, 131.
muelleri, 130.
Oligodon, 146,
iwahigensis, 149.
modestus, 147.
notospilus, 148.
schadenbergi, 151.
olivaceus, Onychocephalus, 58.
Onychophis, 58.
Typhlops, 58.
Onychocephalus, 48.
cumingii, 66.
olivaceus, 58.
Onychophis, 48.
cumingii, 66.
olivaceus, 58.
Opetiodon, 195.
eynodon, 206.
Ophiophagus, 255.
elaps, 256.
fasciatus, 256.
ophiophagus, Hamadryas, 256.
Trimeresurus, 256.
Ophites, 118, 119.
aulicus, 120.
subcinctus, 124,
tesselatus, 124.
tessellatus, 124.
ornata, Aturia, 241.
Chrysopelea, 216.
Crysopelea, 216.
Disteira, 241.
inornata, Disteira, 241.
Megzera, 288.
Parias, 288.
Pelamis, 2538.
Tyria, 216.
ornatus, Coluber, 216.
Hydrophis, 241.
Oxybelis fulgidus, 219.
Oxycalamus, 177.
longiceps, 178.
oxycephalus, 179.
oxycephala, Elaphe, 153.
oxycephalum, Gonyosoma, 152, 153.
Pseudorhabdium, 179.
Rhabdosoma, 179.
oxycephalus, Coluber, 152.
Herpetodryas, 152.
Oxycalamus, 179.
Oxyrhabdium, 99,
leporinum, 103.
modestum, 100.
P
Pappophis, 196.
Pareas waandersii, 206.
Parias, 283.
flavomaculata, 288.
ornata, 288.
variegata, 288.
Passerita, 218.
Pelagophis, 225.
pelamidoides, Hydrophis, 249.
Pelamis, 249, 252.
bicolor, 252.
granulatus,
ornata, 253.
platurus, 253.
pelamis, Hydrophis, 253.
Pelamydrus, 252.
platurus, 252, 253.
petersii, Typhlops, 54.
phenochalinus, Holarchus, 141.
Simotes, 141.
philippensis, Trimeresurus, 295.
philippina, Boiga, 206.
Dipsas, 206.
Dryophiops, 213.
Elaphe, 159.
philippinensis, Dendrophis, 174.
Haplonodon, 126.
Tropidolemus, 296.
philippinieca, Calamaria, 185.
philippinum, Hologerrhum, 116,
philippinus, Ablabes, 164.
Adeniophis, 277.
Dipsadomorphus, 206.
Doliophis, 277.
Dryocalamus, 132.
Liopeltis, 162.
phipsoni, Hydrophis, 245.
Phragmitophis, 161.
se
INDEX 309
phrygia, Boa, 68.
picta, Aheztulla, 166.
Dendrophis, 166, 174.
pictus, Coluber, 166.
Dendrophis, 166.
Leptophis, 166.
Plagiodon, 155.
erythrurus, 156.
platicaudatus, Coluber, 228.
platura, Anguis, 252.
Hydrophis, 252.
platurinus, Lycodon, 124.
Platurus, 227.
affinis, 228.
colubrinus, 231.
fasciatus, 228, 231.
fasciatus var. colubrina, 231.
fasciatus, var. semifasciata, 234.
fischeri, 228.
laticaudatus, 228, 231.
laticaudatus var. colubrina, 231.
laurenti, 228.
schistorhynchus, 234.
scutatus, 231.
semifasciatus, 234.
platurus, Hydrus, 253.
Pelamis, 253.
Pelamydrus, 252, 253.
Polyodontophis, 79.
bivittatus, 80.
Potamophis, 77.
fasciata, 77.
prasinus, Dryinus, 219.
Dryophis, 219.
Tragops, 219.
Preface, 3.
preocularis, Dryophis, 222.
problematicus, Hydrophis, 249.
Psalmodynastes pulverulentus, 210.
Psammodynastes, 209.
pulverulentus, 209, 210.
Psammophis, 209, 218.
pulverulenta, 209.
Pseudohaje, 255.
Pseudolycodon, 129.
Pseudorabdion, 177.
torquatum, 178.
Pseudorhabdion longiceps, 178.
Pseudorhabdium, 177,
longiceps, 178.
menamare, 180.
oxycephalum, 179.
Ptyas korros, 136.
pulverulenta, Psammophis, 209.
pulverulentus, Psalmodynastes, 210.
Psammodynastes, 209, 210.
punctulata, Dendrophis, 174.
purpurascens, Simotes, 140.
Pythonine, 68.
Python, 68.
elapiformis, 111.
reticulatus, 68, 69.
rhynchops, 111.
schneideri, 68.
310
Q
quincunciatus, Tropidonotus, 86.
R
Rabdion, 177.
torquatum, 178.
Regina, 82.
reticulatus, Boa, 68.
Python, 68, 69.
Rhabdion, 177.
torquatum, 178.
Rhabdophis, 82.
Rhabdosoma, 99.
Jeporinum, 100, 103.
modestum, 100, 103.
oxycephalum, 179.
rhombeata, Boa, 68.
Rhynchocalamus, 146.
rhynchops, Cerberus, 111.
Hurria, 112.
Python, 111.
ruber, Typhlops, 65.
rubescens, Chrysopelea, 213.
ruficauda, Anilios, 54.
Typhlops, 54.
Typhlops (Anilios), 54.
rugosa, Typhlops, 58.
russelii, Tortrix, 50.
rynchops, Hurria, 111.
Hydrus, 111.
Ss
samarensis, Naia, 259.
Naja, 259.
Spilotes, 129.
schadenbergi, Geophis, 100.
Oligodon, 151.
Trimeresurus, 288.
schistorhynchus, Platurus, 234.
schneideri, Python, 68.
schneideriana, Hurria, 111.
schokari, Dipsas, 166.
schultzei, Trimeresurus, 292.
seutata, Laticauda, 228, 231.
scutatus, Platurus, 231.
semifasciata, Laticauda, 234.
semifasciatus, Platurus, 234.
Serpentes, 47.
Sibynophis, 79.
bivittatus, 80.
Simotes, 138.
ancoralis, 141.
aphanospilus, 141.
meyerinkii, 139.
octolineatus, 139.
phenochalinus, 141.
purpurascens, 140.
Slightly poisonous snakes, 195.
Species of snakes erroneously attributed to the
Philippine Islands, 43.
spilogaster, Natrix, 86.
Tropidonotus, 86.
INDEX
Spilotes, 129.
melanurus, 156.
samarensis, 129.
Stegonotus, 129.
dumerilii, 130.
muelleri, 129.
Steirophis, 82.
Stenognathus, 99.
brevirostris, 103.
modestus, 100, 103.
Stephanophydra, 225.
stolata, Natrix, 84.
stolatum, Amphiesma, 84.
stolatus, Coluber, 84.
Natrix, 84.
Tropidonotus, 84.
Strephon, 111.
striata, Hydrophis, 245.
Leioselasma, 245.
striatus, Enhydris, 245.
Hydrus, 245.
subannulata, Hydrophis, 245.
subannulatus, Trimesurus, 296, 300.
immaculatus, Trimeresurus, 296.
Tropidolemus, 296.
celebensis, Tropidolemus, 296.
subcinetus, Lycodon, 124.
Ophites, 124.
subradiatus, Elaphis, 156.
suluensis, Calamaria, 189.
Typhlops, 61.
sumatrana, Naja tripudians, 256.
sumatranus, Trigonocephalus, 296.
Trimesurus, 296.
T
taprobanieca, Hydrophis, 245.
terrificus, Dendrelaphis, 174.
Dendrophis, 174.
tesselatus, Ophites, 124.
tessellatus, Lycodon, 124.
Ophites, 124.
Tetragonosoma, 119.
Thalassophis, 237, cj
anguilleformis, 226.
loreatus, Hydrophis, 250.
muraenaeformis, 226.
Thamnodynastes, 209.
Thamnophis, 83.
Tomogaster, 226.
Tomyris, 255.
torquatum, Pseudorabdion, 178.
Rabdion, 178.
Rhabdion, 178.
Tortricidz, 72.
Tortrix, 73.
russelii, 50.
xenopeltis, 73.
Toxicodryas, 195.
trachyceps, Hydrophis, 245.
Tragops, 218.
prasinus, 219.
xanthozonius, 219.
tricolor, Ablabes, 162.
Cyclophis, 162.
Herpetodryas, 162.
Liopeltis, 162.
Triglyphodon, 195.
dendrophilum, 197.
gemmicincta, Dipsas, 197.
gemmicinctum, 197.
Trigonocephalus, 283.
erythrurus, 290.
gramineus, 290.
hombroni, 296.
sumatranus, 296.
viridis, 290.
wagleri, 296.
Trimeresurus, 255, 283.
bungarus, 256.
erythrurus, 291.
flavomaculatus, 288.
formosanus, 292.
gramineus, 288, 290, 292.
halieus, 286.
maculatus, 296.
megregori, 284.
ophiophagus, 256.
philippensis, 295.
schadenbergi, 288.
schultzei, 292.
subannulatus immaculatus, 296.
viridis, 290.
wagleri, 296, 297.
wagleri alboviridis, 299.
wagleri philippensis, 295.
wagleri subannulatus, 300.
wagleri wagleri, 298.
Trimerisurus halieus, 286.
Trimesurus albolabris, 290.
elegans, 290.
formosus, 296.
subannulatus, 296, 300.
sumatranus, 296.
Tripeltis, 146.
tripudians, Naia, 262.
eeea, Naia, 265.
var. miolepis, Naia, 262.
Naja, 259.
var. f., Naja, 259.
var. samarensis, Naja, 259.
var. sumatrana, Naja, 256.
tropica, Calamaria, 194.
Tropidococcyx, 218.
Tropidolemus, 283.
hombroni, 295.
philippinensis, 296.
subannulatus, 296.
subannulatus celebensis, 296.
wagleri, 296.
sp., 297.
Tropidonotus, 82.
auriculatus, 89.
chrysargus, 87.
erebripunctatus, 91.
dendrophiops, 95.
hypomelas, 95.
INDEX
Tropidonotus—Continued.
junceus, 87.
lineatus, 92.
quincunciatus, 86.
spilogaster, 86.
stolatus, 84.
Tropinotus, 82.
truncatus, Argyrophis, 50.
Typhlocalamus, 183.
Typhlogeophis, 182.
brevis, 183.
Typhlogeophus, 182.
brevis, 183.
Typhlopide, 47.
Typhlops, 48.
braminus, 50.
canlaonensis, 55.
cumingii, 66.
dendrophis, 60.
dichromatus, 54.
jagorii, 53.
longicauda, 63.
luzonensis, 52.
manile, 56.
mindanensis, 65.
olivaceus, 58.
petersii, 54.
ruber, 55.
ruficauda, 54.
rugosa, 58.
suluensis, 61.
(Anilios) ruficauda, 5
Tyria, 152.
ornata, 216.
Tytleria, 119.
hypsirhinoides, 120.
U
Ulupe, 132.
unicolor, Cerberus, 112.
Fordonia, 115.
Lycodon, 120.
Xenopeltis, 73.
Ureus, 255.
Vv
variabilis, fordonia, 115.
variegata, Megzra, 288.
Parias, 288.
Vipera viridis, 290.
virgulata, Calamaria, 186.
viride, Gonyosoma, 152.
viridis, Bothrops, 290.
Coluber, 290.
Cophias, .290.
Trigonocephalus, 290.
Trimeresurus, 290.
Vipera, 290.
Ww
waandersii, Pareas, 206.
wagleri, Bothrops, 296.
Cophias, 296, 298.
Lachesis, 297.
Trigonocephalus, 296.
4.
dll
312
wagleri—Continued.
Trimeresurus, 296, 297.
alboviridis, Trimeresurus, 299.
philippensis, Trimeresurus, 295.
subannulatus, Trimeresurus, 300.
wagleri, Trimeresurus, 298.
Tropidolemus, 296.
westermanni, Hydrophis, 245.
x
xanthozonius, Tragops, 219.
Xenodon, 138.
ancorus, 140.
INDEX
| Xenopeltide, 72.
Xenopeltis, 73,
concolor, 73.
leucocephala, 7
unicolor, 73.
3.
xenopeltis, Tortrix, 73.
Zamenophis, 129.
Zaocys, 134,
carinatus, 136.
luzonensis, 135.
| Zapyrus, 134.
Z
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.1
PLATE 1. TYPHLOPS LONGICAUDA TAYLOR,
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 2. XENOPELTIS UNICOLOR REINWARDT.
16.]
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No.
PLATE 3. PHILIPPINE SNAKES.
BurREAU OF ScIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 4. PHILIPPINE SPECIES OF NATRIX,
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 5. NATRIX LINEATA (PETERS).
BUREAU 0£ SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 6. PHILIPPINE SNAKES.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PHILIPPINE SNAKES.
PLATE 7.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No, 16.]
PLATE 8. OPHITES SUBCINCTUS (BOIE).
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 9. HAPLONODON PHILIPPINENSIS GRIFFIN.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 10. PHILIPPINE SNAKES.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 11. PHILIPPINE SNAKES.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 12. PHILIPPINE SPECIES OF ZAOCYS.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 13. PHILIPPINE SNAKES.
BuREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 14. HOLARCHUS MEYERINKII (STEINDACHNER).
BUREAU oF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 15. HOLARCHUS MACULATUS TAYLOR.
16.)
PusuicaTIoNn No.
BuREAU OF SCIENCE
PLATE 16. HOLARCHUS BURKS! TAYLOR.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 17. PHILIPPINE SNAKES.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 18. PHILIPPINE SNAKES.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 19. LIOPELTIS TRICOLOR (SCHLEGEL).
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 20. LIOPELTIS PHILIPPINUS (BOETTGER).
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 21. DENDRELAPHIS CAUDOLINEATUS (GRAY).
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 22. DENDRELAPHIS TERRIFICUS (PETERS).
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PuBLiIcATION No. 16.]
PLATE 23. DENDRELAPHIS TERRIFICUS (PETERS).
16.)
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No.
PHILIPPINE SNAKES.
PLATE 24
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 25. BOIGA DENDROPHILA MULTICINCTA (BOULENGER).
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 26. PHILIPPINE SPECIES OF BOIGA.
BuREAU OF ScIE
cE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 27. BOIGA ANGULATA (PETERS).
ae ee
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 28. DRYOPHIS PREOCULARIS SP. NOV.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 29. LATICAUDA COLUBRINA (SCHNEIDER).
BuREAU OF SCIENCE PuBLICATION No, 16.]
PLATE 30. LATICAUDA SEMIFASCIATA (REINWARDT).
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 31. PHILIPPINE SNAKES.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No, 16.]
PLATE 32. NAJA NAJA MIOLEPIS (BOULENGER).
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
-—
ae ez ~
PLATE 33. PHILIPPINE SPECIES OF HEMIBUNGARUS.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 34. PHILIPPINE SNAKES.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 35. PHILIPPINE SPECIES OF DOLIOPHIS.
16.]
BuReAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No.
Se,
SSN
3
PLATE 36. TRIMERESURUS SCHULTZE! GRIFFIN.
BUREAU OF SCIENCE PUBLICATION No. 16.]
PLATE 37. PHILIPPINE SPECIES OF TRIMERESURUS.
aceon
Tee ition
fare
‘ bape ShManiee
on
Aen
i ae
avr aeseh Tere
Fett ities eres
Recon eter
nite,
me nee Silos
haf sie
Partonert
saat hate
paste ical nite
rat ae ee
aise cit eer Catan heen pee
isa fee staat yeareey ciauinateest Peratctotennetg ini
ser ornescsanged sie aan
bk ae (
pes jini
oe gat ER Catster t
dio ala
up ueenntt eater a
PRS tse
s pointed haan
Hen
atl
bere
Cd er tH
beget
bia ng ot op
cise ahaa naahy
ioe ee ea
Vive pa -
at La ta A aarti lee Sasa
anal
ee esieene
rrgiee weal
Reta Seca sle ra
Cider
ths
Shi
rethink ge Bate fi tie
"bakes ed
ee Nietaraey
etat tenets i at
Paid it toe Nepales loa sh fuse nent
inlet ty eh chet
a piste i)
Saliba
oh re ales Fons
peer mee
Bi re coat
i ae nip
ie
eatin
iy Htetie
v
st
Bulaata
ue
7 i, onesies
een ieee.
Ue gee reretarelh bd it
inshe bs an)
rere y Fy ve
lity
Sai
nis
ms Me < we ne
id ie +
bhatt
Soar
ban
ryaeet a
mae meu Syecreh hye)
tie baqerntens a
rel
Peete tnt sake eR Sauk
vast Steet
eae an
saat
De et ona
itch 7s
ioe Cotte
bir
seh truatciey tt
prnaes nng ey PAU
renee geld:
een
ruta
eriha yp ReHen ety
Live Music
Archive
Librivox
Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland
Museum of Art
Internet
Arcade
Console Living Room
Open Library
American
Libraries
TV News
Understanding
9/11